AT    LOS  ANGELES 


AMERICAN 


NAVAL    BATTLES: 


A  COMPLETE  HISTORY  OF  THE  BATTLES  FOUGHT  BY  THE 


of  tfjf  ftuitfti  States 


FROM    ITS    ESTABLISHMENT   IN    1794   TO  THE    PRESENT    TIME, 


TF.     WARS  WITH  FRANCE,  AND  WITH  TK1POLI,  THE  LATE  WAR  WITH  GREAT 

leiTAIN  AND  WITH  ALGIERS  :  WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  ATTACK 

ON  BALTIMORE,  AND  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 


TWENTY-ONE  ELEGANT  ENGRAVINGS, 

REPRESENTING  BATTLES,  *c. 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED  BY  J.  J.  SMITH,  Ja, 


MDCCCXXSI. 


90! 


DISTRICT  OF  MASSACHUSETTS,  TO  WIT: 

District  Clerk's  Office. 

BE  It  remembered,  that  on  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  April,  Anno  Domini  1831,  HORACE 
KIMBALL.  of  the  said  district,  has  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  title  of 
which  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"  American  Naval  Battles :  being  a  complete  History  of  the  Battles  fought  by  the  Navy  of 
the  United  States,  from  its  establishment  in  1794  to  the  present  time  ;  including  the  Ware 
With  France,  and  with  Tripoli,  the  late  War  with  Great  Britain  and  with  Algiers :  with  an 
Account  of  the  Attack  on  Baltimore,  and  of  the  Battle  of  New  Orleans.  With  twenty-one 
elegant  Engravings,  representing  Battles,  &c." 

the  right  whereof  he  claims  as  Proprietor,  in  conformity  with  an  act  of  Congress,  entitled 
• '  An  act  to  amend  the  several  acts  respecting  Copy  rights." 

JNO.  W.  DAVIS, 

Clerk  of  the  District 


CONTENTS. 


ORIGIK  and  establishment  of  the  Navy  7 

Naval  force  in  1801  10 

Captain  Truxton  1 1 

Capture  of  the  Insurgente       -  11 

Action  between  Constellation  and  Vengeance  '   -'•"..     11 

Captain  Little — frigate  Boston  13 

Capture  of  Le  Berceau         f  -        13 

Captain  Sterrett                  •   -  -                15 

hot  ion  with  a  Tripolitan  -         15 

fcchooner  Jiixperiment— lieutenant  Stewart  17 

,  Ipapture  of  the  Diana  -  -  -  -  17 
®  .{Operations  in  the  Mediterranean  under  commodore  Preble  19 
CO  Commodore  Preble's  interview  with  the  emperor  of  Morocco  22 

•"*   Loss  of  the  frigate  Philadelphia  23 

Burning  of  the  Philadelphia             -                -  25 

•jjj  Attack  on  Tripoli      -  -        27 — 41 

•H   .President  and  Little  Belt  -        42 

President  and  Belvidere  -                 45 
Escape  of  the  Constitution  from  a  British  squadron        -        47 

Capture  of  the  Guerriere         -  51 

First  cruise  of  the  Essex  and  capture  of  the  Alert  -        58 

Cruise  of  the  Wasp  and  capture  of  the  Frolic  -                 62 

Capture  of  the  Wasp       -                -                -  -        67 

Second  cruise  of  commodore  Rodgers  69 

Capture  of  the  Swallow   -                -                -  -        69 

Cruise  of  the  Argus  -                 70 

United  States             -                -  71 


IV  CONTENTS. 

Capture  of  the  Macedonian     -  70 

Java  -                          75 

Lieutenant  Aylwin  80 

Hornet  and  Bonne  Citoyenne  -                          81 

Capture  of  the  Peacock  85 

Chesapeake  and  Shannon  88 

Letter  of  commodore  Broke    -  89 

Death  and  funeral  obsequies  of  Lawrence  and  Ludlow    94,  100 

Blockade  of  New  London       -  101 

Capture  of  the  Eagle       -  -       102 

Third  cruise  of  the  President  103 

Cruise  of  the  Congress    -  '-       107 

Argus  and  Pelican  -                108 

Death  and  funeral  of  captain  Allen  -       112 

Enterprize  and  Boxer  Ii7 

Funeral  of  lieutenant  Burrows  and  captain  Blythe  -       120 

Letter  from  captain  Hull          -     — ,  121 

from  lieutenant  M'Call       *  4  -       122 

Captain  Hull's  card  -                123 

letter  to  commodore  Bainbridge  -       125 

Cruise  of  the  Essex  in  the  Pacific  ocean  126 
Action  in  the  harbour  of  Valparaiso  and  loss  of  the  Essex    133 

Return  of  captain  Porter                          c  141 

The  Alligator  ,  -                -       142 

Commodore  Rodgers                                  -  -                143 

Peacock  and  Epervier     -  -       143 

Cruise  of  the  Wasp  .                149 

Capture  of  the  Reindeer  -                -       146 

Avon                                  -  -                147 

Loss  of  the  President      -  -                -       148 

Capture  of  the  Cyane  and  Levant  -                151 

Blockade  of  Chesapeake  and  Delaware  bays  -  -       159 

Schooner  Lottery     *•                -                -  _                jgo 

Privateer  Dolphin                             .-  160 

Attack  on  Havre  de  Grace       -  160 

Crany  island    -  -                -       161 

Hamr>ton                   -                T  -                162 


CONTENTS.  V 

Schooner  Asp  -       162 

Torpedo  .  162 

Attack  on  Lewistown  -                -                       164 

Gunboat  action  -                -                -               165 

Events  on  lake  Erie  -                -                       165 

Capture  of  the  British  fleet  -                                                 168 

Events  on  lake  Ontario    -  -                       173 

Events  on  lake  Champlain  -   ^            -                -                187 

Battle  of  Plattsburg  -       188 

Letter  of  commodore  M'Donough          -  •   ?"•            193 

Attack  on  Baltimore           \*-.     •    ?•  _  •«*. ';•            -       198 

Battle  of  New  Orleans    -  204 

President  and  Plantagent  -       215 
Escape  of  the  Constitution  from  the  Tenedos  andEndymion  218 

Hornet  and  Penguin  -                -               220 

Escape  of  the  Hornet      -  -      222 

The  Atlas  • >,              224 

The  Young  Eagle  -      225 

The  Montgomery    -  225 

The  Dolphin  -      226 

The  Rolla  -                -               226 

The  Hazard  -            "  -      226 

The  Comet  -^            ,:''.           227 

The  General  Armstrong  •»                                        232 

The  Young  Teazer  '••                -                -               233 

The  Decatur                     -  -                                         233 

The  Saratoga  -                -                236 

The  General  Armstrong  -                -       237 

Letter  from  captain  Gamble  -                                                 243 

Sketch  of  the  Algerine  war  -                                        253 

Naval  poetry  -               263 

List  of  the  American  Navy  -      279 


NAVAL   BATTLES, 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


THE  benefits  to  be  derived  from  historical  records 
of  noble  achievements  whether  physical  or  moral  are 
universally  acknowledged.  The  ambition  of  the 
student,  the  warrior,  or  the  statesman  is  stimulated 
by  the  accounts  transmitted  in  this  manner ;  and  the 
Patriotic  of  every  age  and  nation  have  heard  with 
pride  the  heroic  deeds  of  their  countrymen  recounted, 
whether  it  be  done  by  the  faithful  pen  of  the  impar- 
tial historian,  or  recorded  in  the  page  of  Historical 
Romance.  It  is  with  the  desire  of  commemorating 
some  of  the  most  remarkable  exploits  of  our  gallant 
seaman  that  the  following  plain  and  unvarnished  de- 
scription of  the  Naval  Battles  fought  by  them  since 
the  establishment  of  the  American  Navy  is  offered  to 
the  public ;  believing  it  will  be  useful  to  the  whole 
American  People  and  especially  to  the  rising  genera- 
tion, prompting  them  to  emulate  the  Heroic  daring, 
and  that  high  minded  self  respect  which  has  uniform- 
ly distinguished  the  American  Commander.  No  one 

»/ 

can  read  these  pages  without  being  filled  with  admi- 
ration at  the  vast  majority  of  victories  which  have 

crowned  the  efforts  of  our  Gallant  Navy.     Indeed 

J 


8  NAVAL  BATTLES. 

during  the  continuance  of  the  late  war  with  Great 
Britain  there  are  but  two  instances  of  the  loss  of  an 
American  Ship  where  the  forces  were  nearly  equal, 
viz. — the  Chesapeake  and  the  Argus ;  and  we  cer- 
tainly cannot  consider  the  former  as  having  been  of 
equal  force  with  the  Shannon,  although  the  number 
of  guns  were  so  nearly  equal,  (the  Shannon  having  in 
all  53  guns  and  the  Chesapeake  49)  on  account  of  the 
difference  in  the  crews,  the  Shannon  having  been  at 
sea  long  enough  to  discipline  hers  completely,  while 
the  crew  of  the  Chesapeake  were  scarcely  out  of 
port.  Nor  is  the  meed  of  praise  due  to  our  gallant 
Tars  for  bravery  in  action  alone,  for  we  have  abun- 
dant evidence  in  the  following  pages  of  very  superior 
skill  in  Naval  Tactics  and  Seamanship,  as  well  as  in 
battle.  There  is  not  probably  on  the  pages  of  histo- 
ry a  more  brilliant  illustration  of  these  qualities  than 
in  the  escape  of  the  Constitution  from  the  British 
Fleet  in  July,  1812.  In  every  naval  engagement 
seamen  alone  can  tell  how  much  depends  upon  skill 
and  celerity  in  managing  the  ship. 

The  accounts  are  carefully  selected  from  the  best 
authorities  and  uninteresting  detail  as  much  as  possi- 
ble avoided.  It  has  been  attempted  to  preserve  a 
connected  narrative  as  far  as  the  nature  of  the  under- 
taking would  permit,  and  to  make  the  work  some- 
thing more  than  a  mere  collection  of  official  docu- 
ments and  extracts  from  log  books.  The  limited 
size  of  the  volume  does  not  admit  of  so  complete  a 
history  as  some  readers  would  wish,  but  it  embraces  a 
more  comprehensive  view  of  the  operations  of  our 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


Navy  than  any  other  publication,  and  the  engravings 
are  done  in  a  style  of  elegance  which  does  honor  to 
the  artists  who  executed  them. 


IN  the  revolutionary  war,  which  gave  indepen- 
dence and  character  to  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica, several  armed  vessels  were  in  commission,  and 
performed  exploits,  that  confer  immortality  on  the 
names  of  BARRY,  MANLY,  JONES,  and  others.  Dur- 
ing the  latter  years  of  the  contest,  from  the  want 
of  finances,  the  depreciation  of  paper  currency,  and, 
perhaps,  still  more,  from  the  alliance  with  France 
supplying  a  naval  force,  little  was  done  to  augment, 
or  even  to  maintain,  that  of  our  own  nation  ;  and, 
shortly  after  the  close  of  the  war,  the  few  ships, 
that  had  constituted  the  navy,  were  sold  by  order 
of  Congress. 

The  depredations  committed  on  our  commerce 
in  the  Mediterranean,  by  the  piratical  corsairs  of 
the  Barbary  powers,  induced  Congress,  in  1794,  to 
undertake  the  formation  of  a  naval  force  for  its 
protection.  Four  ships,  of  forty-four  guns  each, 
and  two  of  thirty -six,  were  ordered  to  be  built. — 
The  act  authorizing  the  construction  of  these  ships, 
passed  the  TWENTY-SEVENTH  DAY  OF  MARCH,  which 
may  be  considered  as  the  day  that  gave  existence  to 

the  navy  of  the  United  States. 
2 


10  NAVAL    BATTLES.  / 

The  creation  and  establishment  of  a  permanent  and 
efficient  naval  force,  for  the  protection  of  commerce 
and  the  defence  of  the  seacoast  in  case  of  war,  had 
always  been  advocated  by  Mr.  JOHN  ADAMS  ;  and 
during  the  term  of  his  presidency,  from  March,  1 797, 
to  March,  1801,  the  object  was  pursued  with  great 
zeal  and  energy.  To  no  individual  is  the  nation 
more  indebted,  than  to  Mr.  ADAMS  ;  and  posterity 
will  hail  him  as  the  FATHER  OF  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY. 
In  1798,  there  were  in  service  twenty  vessels  ;  in 
1799,  upwards  of  thirty.  A  law  was  passed,  direct- 
ing the  building  of  six  seventy-four  gun  ships,  which, 
however,  was  never  carried  into  effect.  In  1801, 
the  navy  consisted  of  the  following  ships  : 

United  States        44  guns 

President  44 

Constitution  44 

Philadelphia  44  % . 

Chesapeake  36 

Constellation          36 

Congress  36 

New- York  36 

Boston  32 

Essex  32 

Adams  32 

John  Adams  32 

General  Greene      32 

All  the  other  public  vessels  were  ordered  by  Con- 
gress to  be  sold,  and  the  building  of  those  authorized 
wag  suspended. 


.NAVAL     BATTLES.  11 


CAPTAIN  THOMAS  TRUXTON. 

Was  one  of  the  first  six  captains  appointed  by  the 
President,  at  the  organization  of  the  naval  establish- 
ment, in  1794.  He  was  directed  to  superintend  the 
building  of  the  Constellation,  of  36  guns,  at  Balti- 
more, and  to  take  the  command  of  her  when  equipped 

The  commerce  of  the  United  States  having  suf- 
fered much  from  the  ravages  of  the  French,  both  in 
national  vessels  and  privateers,  Captain  Truxton  was 
sent  with  a  squadron  to  the  West  Indies  for  its  pro- 
tection. 

On  the  ninth  of  February,  1799,  at  noon,  the  is- 
land of  Nevis  bearing  w.  s.  w.  five  leagues  distant, 
the  Constellation  being  then  alone,  a  large  ship  was 
discovered  to  the  southward,  which  proved  to  be  the 
French  frigate  Insurgente,  of  forty  guns  and  four 
hundred  and  seventeen  men.  Commodore  Truxton 
bore  down  upon  her,  and,  at  a  quarter  past  three, 
ranging  along  side,  poured  a  broadside  into  her,  which 
was  immediately  returned.  After  a  warm  action  of 
an  hour  and  a  quarter,  the  French  ship  struck  : 
twenty-nine  of  her  crew  were  killed,  and  forty-four 
wounded.  The  Constellation  had  only  one  man  kill  • 
ed,  and  two  wounded. 

On  the  first  of  February,  1800,  the  Constellation 
being  alone  in  the  road  of  Basseterre,  at  half  past 
seven  A.  M.  Guadaloupe  bearing  eastward,  about  five 
leagues  distant,  a  sail  was  discovered,  which,  on  ap- 


12  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

preaching,  commodore  Truxton  ascertained  to  be  a 
heavy  French  frigate,  of  fifty-four  guns.  He  im- 
mediately prepared  his  ship  for  action.  He  con- 
tinued the  chase  till  one  the  next  day,  when  a  fresh 
wind  enabled  him  to  gain  upon  her.  At  eight  in  the 
evening,  having  got  within  hail,  he  hoisted  his  en- 
sign ;  had  all  the  candles  in  the  battle  lanterns  light- 
ed ;  and  was  in  the  lee  gang  way,  ready  to  speak  to 
the  French  ship,  when  she  commenced  a  fire  from  her 
stern  and  quarter  guns  at  the  rigging  of  the  Constel- 
lation. Having  repeated  the  orders  he  had  before 
given,  commodore  Truxton,  in  a  few  moments  gain- 
ed a  position  on  the  weather  of  the  French  ship, 
which  enabled  him  effectually  to  return  her  broad- 
side. After  a  close  and  severe  action  of  about  four 
hours,  the  fire  of  the  French  ship  was  completely 
silenced,  and  she  sheered  off,  at  the  moment  when 
Truxton  considered  her  as  his  prize,  and  had  ordered 
the  tattered  sails  of  the  Constellation  to  be  trimmed. 
It  was  then  perceived  that  the  main-mast  was  totally 
unsupported  by  rigging,  every  shroud  having  been 
shot  away.  All  efforts  to  support  the  mast  were  use- 
less; it  went  over  the  side  in  a  few  minutes,  carrying 
all  the  top-men  with  it.*  Before  the  ship  could  be 
cleared  of  the  shattered  fragments,  which  was  ac- 
complished in  about  an  hour,  the  French  ship  had 

*  JAMES  JARVIS,  of  New-York,  a  midshipman,  commanded 
the  main-top.  He  was  apprized  of  his  danger  by  a  seaman,  but 
had  so  high  an  opinion  of  the  duty  of  an  officer,  that  he  replied, 
"  If  the  mast  goes,  we  must  go  with  it."  This  soon  happened, 
and  only  one  of  the  men  was  saved. 


NAVAL     BATTLK*.  13 

effected  her  escape.  Her  disappearance  was  so  sud- 
den, that,  the  people  on  board  the  Constellation  sup- 
posed she  had  sunk.  She  arrived  at  Curracoa,  five 
days  after  the  engagement,  so  shattered,  that  all  her 
crew  were  continually  employed  at  the  pumps  to 
keep  her  from  sinking.  She  had  one  hundred  and 
sixty  men  killed  and  wounded.  Her  captain  stated 
that  he  had  twice  struck  his  colours ;  but,  owing  to  the 
darkness,  it  was  not  perceived  on  board  the  Constel- 
lation. Believing  it  was  the  determination  of  the 
American  captain  to  sink  him,  he  renewed  the  en- 
gagement from  necessity.  The  Constellation  had 
thirty-nine  men  killed  and  wounded.  The  French 
frigate  was  the  Vengeance. 


CAPTAIN  LITTLE— FRIGATE  BOSTON. 

THE  United  States  frigate  Boston,  commanded  by 
captain  Little,  being  on  a  cruise,  to  protect  the 
American  commerce  in  the  West  Indies,  in  latitude 
22,  50,  longitude  51,  captured,  on  the  12th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1 800,  after  an  action  of  an  hour  and  forty  min- 
utes, the  French  national  corvette  Le  Berceattk  The 
Boston  mounted  twenty-four  12,  and  eight  9  poun- 
ders, and  had  two  hundred  and  thirty  men,  of  whom 
six  were  killed,  and  eight  wounded.  Le  Berceau 
was  commanded  by  captain  Senes,  had  twenty-two 
9,  and  two  12  pounders,  on  one  deck,  and  two  hun- 


14  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

dred  and  thirty  men.  She  lost  all  her  masts,  and 
was  otherwise  much  disabled.  She  had  been  out 
from  Cayenne  twenty-five  days,  during  which  she 
had  plundered  two  American  vessels  and  made  prize 
of  one.  On  a  former  cruise  she  had  captured  seve- 
ral American  vessels.  A  variety  of  circumstances 
conspired  to  render  this  capture  of  much  importance. 
Le  Berceau  was  considered  one  of  the  fastest  sailing 
corvettes  in  the  French  navy  ;  she  served  as  a  look- 
out vessel  to  the  French  fleet  for  eighteen  months, 
had  frequently  been  chased  by  British  cruisers,  but 
never  overtaken ;  and  had  been  very  successful  in 
capturing  British,  American,  and  Portuguese  vessels ; 
and  was  bound  on  this  cruise  to  intercept  the  Ameri- 
can Indiamen,  and  South  American  ships.  Captain 
Senes  had  been  post  captain  in  the  French  navy  for 
many  years  ;  was  a  midshipman  in  count  D'Estaing's 
fleet  in  the  revolutionary  war  ;  and  was  esteemed  a 
brave  and  intelligent  officer.  Le  Berceau  lost  in 
the  engagement  her  first  lieutenant,  master,  boat- 
swain, master-gunner,  and  pilot,  besides  a  number  of 
seamen.  Captain  Senes,  and  a  commissioner,  who 
was  in  Le  Berceau,  after  being  in  the  Boston  fifteen 
days,  were,  at  their  request,  permitted  to  go  to  Bar- 
badoes,  on  their  parole. 

The  Boston  expended  upwards  of  27  cwt.  of  pow- 
der, upwards  of  1500  round  shot,  besides  double  that 
number  of  chain,  double-headed,  and  grape,  during 
the  action.  Captain  Little  arrived,  with  his  prize, 
at  Boston,  the  Hth  of  November. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  15 

CAPTAIN  STERRETT. 

IN  the  month  of  August,  1801,  Captain  Sterrett, 
commander  of  the  United  States  schooner  Enter- 
prize,  of  twelve  guns,  and  ninety  men,  fell  in,  off 
Malta,  with  a  Tripolitan  cruiser  of  fourteen  guns  and 
eighty-five  men.  A  desperate  conflict  ensued,  and 
had  continued  for  nearly  two  hours,  when  the  Tri- 
politan hauled  down  her  colours.  The  crew  of  the 
Enterprize  left  their  guns,  and  gave  three  cheers  for 
the  victory.  Upon  this,  the  cruiser  poured  a  broadside 
into  the  Enterpize,  hoisted  her  colours,  and  renew- 
ed the  action  with  redoubled  vigour.  Her  crew, 
brandishing  their  sabres,  continually  attempted  to 
board.  They  were  again  overcome  by  the  skilful 
crew  of  the  Enterprize,  and  struck  a  second  time. 
Captain  Sterrett  then  ordered  the  cruiser  under  his 
quarter,  and  kept  his  men  at  the  guns.  But  the  Tripo- 
litan had  no  sooner  come  to  the  position  she  was  order- 
ed, than  she  renewed  the  action  the  third  time,  by 
pouring  a  broadside  into  the  Enterprize.  The  Tripo- 
litans  hoisted  their  bloody  flag,  and  attempted  to  board. 
The  indignant  cry  of  "  Fight  on,  and  sink  the  per- 
fidious villains  to  the  bottom,"  was  now  heard  from 
every  part  of  the  American  schooner.  Every  effort 
was  made  by  Captain  Sterrett  to  ensure  a  complete 
victory.  His  superior  skill  in  the  management  of 
his  vessel  enabled  him  to  rake  the  corsair,  fore  and 
aft.  A  number  of  shot  between  wind  and  water, 
opened  her  sides  for  the  sea  to  pour  in.  Fifty  of  her 
men  were  killed  and  wounded.  Her  treacherous 


16  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

commander,  perceiving  the  destruction  of  his  vessel 
and  crew  inevitable,  implored  for  quarters.  Bending 
in  a  supplicating  posture  over  the  waste  of  his  ves- 
sel, he  threw  his  colours  into  the  sea,  to  convince  the 
American  captain  that  lie  would  no  more  attempt  to 
resist.  Captain  Sterrett,  actuated  by  the  sentiment 
of  true  bravery,  stopped  the  effusion  of  blood,  though 
the  treacherous  conduct  of  the  Tripolitans  merited  no 
mercy.  His  instructions  not  permitting  him  to  make 
a  prize  of  the  cruiser,  he  ordered  her  crew  to  throw 
overboard  all  their  guns,  swords,  pistols,  ammunition, 
&c.  and  then  to  go  and  tell  their  countrymen  the  treat- 
ment they  might  expect  from  a  nation,  determined 
to  pay  tribute  only  in  powder  and  ball. 

The  Enterprize,  in  this  engagement  of  three  hours, 
did  not  lose  a  man.  Captain  Sterrett,  after  paying 
every  attention  to  the  wounded  Tripolitans,  ordered 
the  cruiser  to  be  dismantled.  Her  masts  were  cut 
down.  A  spar  was  raised,  to  which  was  hung  a  tat- 
tered sail,  as  a  flag;.  In  this  condition  she  was  sent 

'  O 

to  Tripoli.  On  her  arrival  there,  the  indignation, 
excited  by  her  defeat,  was  so  great,  that  the  bashaw 
ordered  the  wounded  captain  to  be  mounted  on  a 
jack-ass,  and  paraded  through  the  streets  as  an  ob- 
ject of  public  scorn  ;  and  then  to  receive  live  hun- 
dred bastinadoes.  The  Tripolitans  were  so  terrified 
at  this  event,  that  the  sailors  abandoned  the  cruisers 
then  fitting  out.  Not  a  man  could  be  procured  to 
navigate  them.* 

*  History  of  the  war  between  the  United  States  and  Tripoli 
P.  91. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  17 


SCHOONER  EXPERIMENT.— LIEUT.   STEWART. 

IN  July,  1 800,  lieutenant  Charles  Stewart  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  the  Experiment,  of  twelve 
guns,  and  ordered  to  cruise  in  the  West  Indies.  He 
arrived  on  that  station  the  first  of  September,  and  the 
same  night  fell  in  with  the  French  schooner  Deux 
Amis,  of  eight  guns,  which  he  engaged  and  captur- 
ed, without  any  loss,  after  an  action  of  ten  minutes. 

Soon  after,  while  cruising  near  the  island  of  Bar- 
buda, he  discovered  a  brig  of  war,  and  a  three-masted 
schooner,  standing  for  the  Experiment,  under  a  press 
of  sail,  and  displaying  English  colours.  The  Exper- 
iment was  hove  to,  and  the  British  signal  of  the  day 
was  made,  which  not  being  answered  by  the  strange 
vessels  by  the  time  they  were  within  gun-shot,  that 
signal  was  hauled  down,  and  the  Experiment  stood 
away  with  all  sail  set.  A  chase  was  now  commenced 
by  the  enemy,  and  continued  for  about  two  hours ; 
when  finding  they  were  outsailed  by  the  Experiment, 
they  relinquished  the  pursuit,  and  bore  away  under 
easy  sail,  firing  a  gun  to  windward,  and  hoisting 
French  colours.  Lieutenant  Stewart  now  manoeuvred 
his  schooner  so  as  to  bring  her  in  the  enemy's  wake 
to  windward,  when  a  chase  was  made  on  his  part, 
which  continued  the  whole  day  before  the  wind,  each 
vessel  crowding  all  her  canvass.  At  eight  o'clock 
3 


18  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

at  night,  the  Experiment  closed  with  the  three-mast- 
ed schooner,  which  was  the  sternmost  of  the  hostile 
vessels;  and  having  taken  a  position  on  her  lar- 
board-quarter, opened  a  fire  upon  her  from  the  great 
guns  and  small  arms,  which  in  about  five  minutes, 
compelled  her  to  strike.  She  was  immediately  ta- 
ken possession  of,  and  proved  to  be  the  French 
schooner  of  war  Diana,  of  fourteen  guns  and  sixty- 
five  men,  commanded  by  M.  Peraudeau,  lieutenant 
de  Vaisseau.  The  detention  occasioned  by  removing 
the  prisoners,  enabled  the  brig  of  war  to  escape. 
She  mounted,  as  was  afterwards  learned,  eighteen 
guns,  and  had  a  crew  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men.  The  Experiment  proceeded  to  St.  Christo- 
pher's with  her  prize. 

On  the  14th  of  December,  she  fell  in  with  the 
privateer  Flambeau,  of  sixteen  guns  and  ninety  men, 
with  a  prize  brig,  steering  for  Marigalante.  The 
breeze  being  light  and  the  enemy  to  windward,  it 
was  late  in  the  afternoon  before  there  was  any  pros- 
pect of  closing  with  him.  Notwithstanding  all  the 
exertions  of  the  Experiment,  the  Flambeau  escaped 
in  shore ;  but  her  prize  was  retaken.  This  vessel 
proved  to  be  the  Zebra  of  and  from  Baltimore,  laden 
with  flour.  During  the  remainder  of  this  cruise, 
the  Experiment  recaptured  several  American  vessels 
sometimes  as  many  as  two  or  three  in  a  day,  and 
thus  rescued  American  property  to  a  considerable 
amount. 


NAVAL    BATTLKi.  19 


OPERATIONS  IN  THE  MEDITERRANEAN. 

As  every  incident  and  anecdote  connected  with 
the  Tripoli  tan  war  has  become  extremely  interest- 
ing to  the  publick,  we  trust  that  the  following  cir- 
cumstantial, though  very  imperfect,  NARRATIVE  of  the 
operations  of  the  squadron  under  COMMODORE 
PREBLE,  will  be  read  with  satisfaction. 

The  Tripolitan  cruisers  continuing  to  harass  the 
vessels  of  the  United  States,  Congress  determined, 
in  1803,  to  act  with  greater  vigour  against  them, 
and  to  fit  out  a  fleet  that  should  not  only  repel  their 
unprovoked  aggression,  but  also  chastise  their  in- 
solence. The  squadron  consisted  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, 44  guns ;  the  Philadelphia,  44 ;  the  Argus, 
18;  the  Syren,  16;  the  Nautilus,  16;  the  Vixen, 
16;  and  the  Enterprize,  14.  Commodore  Preble 
was  appointed  to  the  command  of  this  squadron,  in 
May,  1803. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  August,  commodore  Preble 
sailed  in  the  Constitution  for  the  Mediterranean. 
On  his  passage  he  brought  to  a  Moorish  frigate, 
which  he  suspected  had  been  authorized  to  cruise 
against  American  vessels ;  but  her  papers  not  sup- 
porting such  a  suspicion,  he  dismissed  her.  When 
he  arrived  at  Gibraltar,  he  found  that  our  affairs  with 
Morocco  had  assumed  a  very  disagreeable  aspect. 

Captain  William  Bainbridge,  commanding  the  fri- 
gate Philadelphia,  had  sailed  in  July  ;  and,  on  the 


20  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

twenty-sixth  of  August,  had  captured  the  Moorish 
ship  Mirboha,  of  twenty-two  guns,  and  one  hundred 
and  ten  men.  An  order  to  cruise  for  American  ves- 
sels was  discovered  among  her  papers.  There  was 
no  signature  to  this  order.  The  captain  said  it  was 
delivered  to  him  sealed,  by  the  Moorish  govern  our 
of  Tangiers,  who  ordered  him  not  to  open  it  until  at 
sea.  By  the  authority  of  this  order  he  had  captured 
the  American  brig  Celia,  then  in  company.  In  May, 
captain  Rodgers  had  detained  a  vessel,  under  Moor- 
ish colours,  attempting  to  enter  Tripoli,  then  actually 
blockaded  by  him.  On  board  of  her  were  four  guns, 
arid  other  contraband  articles.  The  emperour  denied 
having  authorized  the  latter  ;  and  the  governour  of 
Tangiers  disavowed  having  given  any  orders  to  cruise 
for  Americans  to  the  former.  Commodore  Preble, 
the  day  after  his  arrival,  wrote  to  the  American  con- 
sul at  Tangiers,  that  peace  with  the  emperour  of' 
Morocco  was  desirable  ;  that  since  he  disavowed  the 
acts  of  hostility,  committed  by  his  subjects,  he  should 
punish  as  pirates  all  Moorish  cruisers  attempting  to 
capture  American  vessels.* 

Commodore  Rodgers,  who,  with  the  New  York 
and  John  Adams,  frigates,  was  under  orders  to  re- 
turn to  the  United  States,  consented  to  remain  a  few 
days  on  the  station,  and  to  proceed  with  commodore 
Preble  to  Tangier  bay,  to  effect  an  adjustment  of 
existing  differences. 

On  the  seventeenth  of  August,  commodore  Preble 
appeared  in  Tangier  bay,  and  hoisted  a  white  flag 

*  Port  Folio,  vol.  iii.  p.  361. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  21 

in  token  of  peace.  The  American  consul  was  not 
permitted  to  go  on  board.  Two  sentinels  were 
placed  at  his  door. 

About  this  time  another  act  of  hostility  was  com- 
mitted at  Mogadore.  It  was  an  order  given  to 
detain  all  American  vessels.  The  brig  Hannah,  of 
Salem,  was  actually  seized. 

This  determined  the  commodore  to  take  a  more 
decided  course.  He  ordered  his  squadron  to  bring 
in  all  Moorish  vessels  for  examination.  He  despatch- 
ed vessels  to  cruise  off  Mogadore,  Salee,  Zarach 
and  Tetuan,  while  he  himself  entered  the  bay  of 
Tangiers  from  time  to  time.  The  Philadelphia  and 
Vixen  were  ordered  to  lie  before  Tripoli. 

On  the  5th  of  October,  when  the  empcrour  of  Mo- 
rocco was  expected  at  Tangiers,  commodore  Preble 
anchored  the  Constitution  and  Nautilus  in  the  bay, 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  circular  battery.  In  the 
afternoon  of  the  6th,  'he  was  joined  by  the  frigates 
New  York  and  John  Adams.  The  ships  were  con- 
stantly kept  clear  for  action,  and  the  men  night  and 
day  at  their  quarters.  The  emperour  arrived  on  the 
6th,  with  a  great  body  of  troops,  who  encamped  on 
the  beach  opposite  the  American  squadron.  The 
commodore  saluted  the  emperour  with  twenty-one 
guns,  which  were  retured  by  an  equal  number  from 
the  fort.  A  present  of  bullocks,  sheep,  and  fowls, 
was  sent  to  the  American  squadron,  as  a  token  of 
the  emperour's  good  will.  On  the  8th,  the  emperour, 
attended  by  a  body  of  troops,  came  to  the  beach  for 


£2  5AVAL     BATTLES. 

the  purpose  of  viewing  the  American  squadron.  The 
Constitution  again  complimented  him  with  twenty- 
one  guns,  with  which  he  was  much  gratified. 

The  next  day  the  American  consul  informed  the 
commodore  that  the  emperour  had  given  orders  for 
the  American  brig,  detained  at  Mogadore,  to  be  re- 
leased ;  and  that  he  would  give  audience  to  the 
American  commodore  and  consul  on  the  following 
Monday. 

On  the  day  appointed,  the  commodore,  accompa- 
nied by  four  persons,  went  on  shore.  He  ordered 
the  officer,  commanding  the  squadron  during  his  ab- 
sence, to  fire  upon  the  town,  if  he  should  be  forci- 
bly detained ;  and  not  to  enter  into  any  treaty  for 
his  release,  nor  be  influenced  by  any  considerations 
for  his  personal  safety.  When  arrived  at  the  castle, 
they  were  conducted  through  a  double  file  of  soldiers 
to  the  emperour.  The  commodore,  on  entering,  was 
requested  to  put  away  his  side  arms ;  with  this  he 
declined  complying ;  and  was  permitted  to  retain 
them.  The  emperour  expressed  much  sorrow  and 
regret  that  any  difference  had  arisen ;  for  it  was  his 
desire  to  be  at  peace  with  the  United  States.  He 
denied  having  given  any  hostile  orders  ;  promised  to 
restore  all  American  vessels  and  property,  detained 
by  the  authority  of  any  of  his  governours ;  and  re- 
newed and  confirmed  the  treaty  made  with  the  Uni- 
ted States  in  1786.  The  commodore  and  consul,  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States,  promised  that  the  ves- 
sels and  property  belonging  to  the  emperour,  should 


NAVAL     BATTLES. 

be  restored ;  and  the  orders  for  capturing  them  re- 
voked. 

Commodore  Preble  was  now  at  liberty  to  direct 
his  whole  attention  to  Tripoli.  The  season  was, 
however,  too  far  advanced  for  active  operations. 

On  the  31st  of  October,  the  Philadelphia,  being, 
at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  about  five  leagues  to 
the  westward  of  Tripoli,  discovered  a  sail  in  shore, 
standing  before  the  wind  to  the  eastward.  The 
Philadelphia  immediately  gave  chase.  The  sail 
hoisted  Tripolitan  colours,  and  continued  her  course 
near  the  shore.  The  Philadelphia  opened  a  fire 
upon  her,  and  continued  it,  till  half  past  eleven ; 
when,  being  in  seven  fathoms  water,  and  finding  her 
fire  could  not  prevent  the  vessel  entering  Tripoli,  she 
gave  up  the  pursuit.  In  beating  off,  she  ran  on  a 
rock,  not  laid  down  in  any  chart,  distant  four  and  a 
half  miles  from  the  town.  A  boat  was  immediately 
lowered  to  sound.  The  greatest  depth  of  water  was 
found  to  be  astern.  In  order  to  back  her  off,  all  sails 
were  then  laid  aback  ;  the  top-gallant-sails  loosened ; 
three  anchors  thrown  away  from  the  bows ;  the  water 
in  the  hold  started;  and  all  the  guns  thrown  over- 
board, excepting  a  few  abaft  to  defend  the  ship 
against  the  attacks  of  the  Tripolitan  gun-boats,  then 
firing  at  her.  All  this,  however,  proved  ineffectual ; 
as  did  also  the  attempt  to  lighten  her  forward  by  cut- 
ting away  her  foremast.  The  Philadelphia  had  al- 
ready withstood  the  attack  of  the  numerous  gun-boats 
for  four  hours,  when  a  large  reinforcement  coming 
out  of  Tripoli,  and  being  herself  deprived  of  every 


24  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

means  of  resistance,  and  defence,  she  was  forced  to 
strike,  about  sunset.  The  Tripolitans  immediately 
took  possession  of  her,  and  made  prisoners  of  the 
officers  and  men,  in  number  three  hundred.  Forty- 
eight  hours  afterwards,  the  wind  blowing  in  shore, 
the  Tripolitans  got  the  frigate  off,  and  towed  her  into 
the  harbour. 

On  the  14th  of  December,  commodore  Preble 
sailed  from  Malta,  in  company  with  the  Enterprize, 
commanded  by  lieutenant  Stephen  Decatur.  On 
the  23d,  the  latter  captured  a  ketch  in  sight  of 
Tripoli ;  which  place  she  had  left  the  preceding 
night,  bound  to  Bengaza.  She  was  under  Turkish 
colours,  and  was  navigated  by  Turks  and  Greeks. 
On  board  of  her  were  two  Tripolitan  officers  of  dis- 
tinction, a  number  of  Tripolitan  soldiers,  and  about 
forty  blacks  belonging  to  the  bashaw  and  his  sub- 
jects. The  commodore  had  at  first  determined  to 
release  the  vessel  and  men  claimed  by  the  Turkish 
captain :  and  only  detain  the  Tripolitans,  about 
sixty  in  number,  as  prisoners.  But  before  this  de- 
termination could  be  put  in  execution,  he  ascertain- 
ed, that  this  same  captain  had  been  very  active  in 
assisting  to  take  the  Philadelphia.  He  had,  on  that 
occasion,  received  on  board  his  vessel  one  hundred 
armed  Tripolitans;  had  changed  his  own  colours 
for  that  of  the  enemy;  had  attacked  the  frigate; 
and,  when  she  was  boarded,  had  plundered  the  offi- 
cers. This  determined  the  commodore  to  retain 
the  vessel.  As  she  was  in  no  condition  to  be  sent 
to  the  United  States,  he  forwarded  her  papers  to 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  25 

government.      Soon  after    he    had    her  appraised ; 
and  took  her  into  the  service  as  the  ketch  Intrepid. 

When  lieutenant  Decatur  was  informed  of  the  loss 
of  the  Philadelphia,  he  immediately ,  formed  a  plan 
of  recapturing  and  destroying  her,  which  he  proposed 
to  commodore  Preble.  At  first  the  commodore 
thought  the  projected  enterprise  too  hazardous ;  but 
at  length  granted  his  consent.  Lieutenant  Decatur 
then  selected  for  the  enterprise  the  ketch  Intrepid, 
lately  captured  by  him.  This  vessel  he  manned  with 
seventy  volunteers,  chiefly  of  his  own  crew  ;  and  on 
the  third  of  February  sailed  from  Syracuse,  accompa- 
nied by  the  brig  Siren,  lieutenant  Stewart.-  The 
Siren  was  to  aid  the  boats ;  and,  in  case  it  should 
be  deemed  expedient  to  use  the  Intrepid  as  a  fire 
ship,  to  receive  her  crew. 

After  a  tempestuous  passage  of  fifteen  days,  the  two 
vessels  arrived  off  the  harbour  of  Tripoli,  towards 
the  close  of  day.  It  was  determined  that  at  ten 
o'clock  in  the  evening  the  Intrepid  should  enter  the 
harbour,  accompanied  by  the  boats  of  the  Siren. 
But  a  change  of  wind  had  separated  the  two  vessels 
six  or  eight  mil<?e«  As  delay  might  prove  fatal,  lieu- 
tenant Decatur  entered  the  harbour  alone  about  eight 
o'clock.  The  Philadelphia  lay  within  half  gun  shot 
of  the  Bashaw's  castle  and  principal  battery.  On 
her  starboard  quarter  lay  two  Tripolitan  cruisers  with- 
in two  cables  length ;  and  on  the  starboard  bow  a 
number  of  gun-boats  within  half  gun-shot.  All  her 
guns  were  mounted  and  loaded.  Three  hours  were, 
in  consequence  of  the  lightness  of  the  wind,  con- 
4 


<26  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

sumed  in  passing  three  miles,  when,  being  within 
two  hundred  yards  of  the  Philadelphia,  they  were 
hailed  from  her,  and  ordered  to  anchor  on  peril  of  be- 
ing fired  into.  The  pilot  on  board  the  Intrepid  wa? 
ordered  to  reply,  that  all  their  anchors  were  lost, 
The  Americans  had  advanced  within  fifty  yards  of 
the  frigate,  when  the  wind  died  away  into  a  calm. 
Lieutenant  Decatur  ordered  a  rope  to  be  taken  out 
and  fastened  to  the  fore  chains  of  the  frigate,  which 
was  done,  and  the  Intrepid  was  warped  along  side. 
It  was  not  till  then  the  Tripolitans  suspected  them 
to  be  an  enemy ;  and  their  confusion  in  consequence 
was  great.  As  soon  as  the  vessels  was  sufficiently 
near,  lieutenant  Decatur  sprang  on  board  the  frigate, 
and  was  followed  by  midshipman  Morris.*  It  was  a 
minute  before  the  remainder  of  the  crew  succeeded 
in  mounting  after  them.  But  the  Turks,  crowded 
together  on  the  quarter  deck,  were  in  too  great  con- 
sternation to  take  advantage  of  this  delay.  As  soon 
as  a  sufficient  number  of  Americans  gained  the  deck 
they  rushed  upon  the  Tripolitans;  who  were  soon 
overpowered ;  and  about  twenty  of  them  were  kill- 
ed. After  taking  possession  of  the  ship,  a  firing  com- 
menced from  the  Tripolitan  batteries  and  castlo,  and 
from  two  corsairs,  near  the  frigate ;  a  number  of  laun- 
ches were  also  seen  rowing  about  in  the  harbour  ; 
whereupon  lieutenant  Decatur  resolved  to  remain  in 
the  frigate,  for  there  he  would  be  enabled  to  make  the 
best  defence.  But  perceiving  that  the  launches  kept 
at  a  distance,  he  ordered  the  frigate  to  be  set  on  fire, 

*  Now  Captain  Morris. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  .      27 

f 

which  was  immediately  done,  and  so  effectually,  that 
with  difficulty  was  the  Intrepid  preserved.  A  favour- 
able breeze  at  this  moment  sprung  up,  which  soon 
carried  them  out  of  the  harbour.  None  of  the  Amer- 
icans were  killed,  and  only  four  wounded.  For  this 
heroick  achievement  lieutenant  Decatur  was  promot- 
ed to  the  rank  of  post  captain.  His  commission 
was  dated  on  the  day  he  destroyed  the  Philadelphia. 

After  the  destruction  of  the  Philadelphia  frigate, 
commodore  Preble  was,  during  the  spring  and  early 
part  of  the  summer,  employed  in  keeping  up  the 
blockade  of  the  harbour  of  Tripoli,  in  preparing  for 
an  attack  upon  the  town,  and  in  cruising.  A  prize 
that  had  been  taken  was  put  hi  commission,  and  call- 
ed the  Scourge.  A  loan  of  six  gun-boats  and  twjo 
bomb-vessels,  completely  fitted  for  service,  was  ob- 
tained from  the  king  of  Naples.  Permission  was 
also  given  to  take  twelve  or  fifteen  Neapolitans  on 
board  each  boat,  to  serve  under  the  American  flag. 

With  this  addition  to  his  force,  the  commodore,  on 
the  21st  of  July,  joined  the  vessels  off  Tripoli.  His 
squadron  then  consisted  of  the 

Frigate     Constitution,     44  guns,  24  pounders. 

Brig          Argus,  18  24 

Syren,  18  18 

Scourge, 

Schooner  Vixen,  16  6 

Nautilus,  16  6 

Enterprize,         12  6 

Besides  six  gun-boats,  carrying  each  a  twenty-six 
brass  pounder,  aud  two  bomb-ketches,  carrying  each 


28  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

a  thirteen  inch  mortar.  The  number  of  men  engag- 
ed in  the  service  amounted  to  one  thousand  and  sixty. 

On  the  Tripolitan  castle  and  batteries,  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  guns  were  mounted :  fifty-five  of  which 
were  pieces  of  heavy  ordnance ;  the  others  long 
eighteen  and  twelve  pounders.  In  the  harbour  were 
nineteen  gun-boats,  carrying  each  a  long  brass  eigh- 
teen or  twenty-four  pounder  in  the  bow,  and  two 
howitzers  abaft :  also  two  schooners  of  eight  guns 
each,  a  brig  of  ten,  and  two  galleys,  of  four  guns 
each.  In  addition  to  the  ordinary  Turkish  garrison, 
and  the  crews  of  the  armed  vessels,  estimated  at  three 
thousand,  upwards  of  twenty  thousand  Arabs  had 
been  assembled  for  the  defence  of  the  city. 

The  weather  prevented  the  squadron  from  ap- 
proaching the  city  until  the  28th,  when  it  anchored 
within  two^niles  and  a  half  of  the  fortifications  ;  but 
the  wind  suddenly  shifting,  and  increasing  to  a  gale, 
the  commodore  was  compelled  to  return.  On  the 
3d  of  August,  he  again  approached  to  within  two  or 
three  miles  of  the  batteries.  Having  observed  that  sev- 
eral of  the  enemy's  boats  were  stationed  without  the 
reef  of  rocks,  covering  the  entrance  of  the  harbour, 
he  resolved  to  take  advantage  of  this  circumstance. 
He  made  signal  for  the  squadron  to  come  within 
speaking  distance,  to  communicate  to  the  several 
commanders  his  intention  of  attacking  the  shipping 
and  batteries.  The  gun-boats  and  bomb-ketches 
were  immediately  manned,  and  prepared  for  ac- 
tion. The  former  were  arranged  in  two  divisions 
of  three  each.  The  first  divison  was  under  the  com- 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  29 

mand  of  captain  Somers,  on  board  the  boat  No.  1  ; 
lieutenant  James  Decatur  commanded  the  boat  No. 
2 ;  and  lieutenant  Blake,  No.  3.  The  second  divi- 
sion was  commanded  by  captain  Decatur,  in  No.  4 ; 
lieutenant  Bainbridge  commanded  No.  5 ;  and  lieu- 
tenant Trippe  No.  6.  The  two  bomb-ketches  were 
commanded,  the  one  by  lieutenant  commandant 
Dent ;  the  other  by  Mr.  Robinson,  first  lieutenant 
of  the  commodore's  ship.  At  half  past  one,  the 
squadron  stood  in  for  the  batteries.  At  two,  the 
gun-boats  were  cast  off.  At  half  past  two,  signal 
was  made  for  the  bomb-ketches  and  gun-boats  to 
advance  and  attack.  At  three  quarters  past  two, 
the  signal  was  given  for  a  general  action.  It  com- 
menced by  the  bomb-ketches  throwing  shells  into  the 
town.  A  tremendous  fire  immediately  commenced 
from  the  enemies  batteries  and  vessels,  of  at  least 
two  hundred  guns.  It  was  immediately  returned  by 
the  American  squadron,  now  within  musket-shot  of 
the  principal  batteries. 

At  this  moment,  captain  Decatur,  with  the  three 
gun-boats  under  his  command,  attacked  the  enemy's 
eastern  division,  consisting  of  nine  gun-boats.  He 
was  soon  in  the  midst  of  them.  The  fire  of  the 
cannon  and  musketry  was  immediately  changed  to  a 
desperate  attack  with  bayonet,  spear,  sabre,  &c. 
Captain  Decatur  having  grappled  a  Tripolitan  boat, 
and  boarded  her  with  only  fifteen  Americans ;  in  ten 
minutes  her  decks  were  cleared,  and  she  was  cap- 
tured. Three  Americans  were  wounded.  At  this 
moment  captain  Decatur  was  informed  that  the  gun- 


SO  NAVAL  BATTLES. 

boat  commanded  by  his  brother,  had  engaged  and 
captured  a  boat  belonging  to  the  enemy ;  but  that 
his  brother,  as  he  was  stepping  on  board,  was 
treacherously  shot  by  the  Tripolitan  commander, 
who  made  off  with  his  boat.  Captain  Decatur  im- 
mediately pursued  the  murderer,  who  was  retreat- 
ing within  the  lines  ;  having  succeeded  in  coming 
along  side,  he  boarded  with  only  eleven  men.  A 
doubtful  contest  of  twenty  minutes  ensued.  Deca- 
tur immediately  attacked  the  Tripolitan  commander, 
who  was  armed  with  a  spear  and  cutlass.  In  parry- 
ing the  Turk's  spear,  Decatur  broke  his  sword  close 
to  the  hilt,  and  received  a  slight  wound  in  the  right 
arm  and  breast ;  but  having  seized  the  spear  he 
closed;  and, .after  a  violent  struggle,  both  fell,  De- 
catur uppermost.  The  Turk  then  drew  a  dagger 
from  his  belt ;  but  Decatur  caught  hold  of  his  arm, 
drew  a  pistol  from  his  pocket,  and  shot  him.  While 
they  were  struggling,  the  crew  of  both  vessels  rushed 
to  the  assistance  of  their  commanders.  And  so 
desperate  had  the  contest'  around  them  been,  that 
it  was  with  difficulty  Decatur  could  extricate  himself 
from  the  killed  and  wounded  that  had  fallen  around 
him.  In  this  affair  an  American  manifested  the  most 
heroick  courage  and  attachment  to  his  commander. 
Decatur,  in  the  struggle,  was  attacked  in  the  rear 
by  a  Tripolitan ;  who  had  aimed  a  blow  at  his  head, 
which  must  have  proved  fatal,  had  not  this  generous- 
minded  tar,  then  dangerously  wounded  and  deprived 
of  the  use  of  both  his  hands,  rushed  between  him  and 
the  sabre,  the  stroke  of  which  he  received  in  his  head 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  31 

tvhereby  his  scull  was  fractured.  This  hero,  howev- 
er survived,  and  now  receives  a  pension  from  his 
grateful  country.  All  the  Americans  but  four  were 
wounded.  Captain  Decatur  brought  both  his  prizes 
safe  to  the  American  squadron. 

Lieutenant  Trippe  boarded  one  of  the  enemy's 
large  boats,  with  only  a  midshipman,  Mr.  Jonathan 
Henly,  and  nine  men  ;  his  boat  falling  off  before  any 
more  could  join  him.  He  was  thus  left  either  to  per- 
ish, or  to  conquer  thirty-six  men,  with  only  eleven, 
Though  at  first,  the  victory  seemed  doubtful,  yet,  in 
a  few  minutes,  the  Tripolitans  were  subdued  ;  four- 
teen of  them  were  killed,  and  twenty-two  taken  pris- 
oners. Seven  of  these  last  were  severely  wounded. 
Lieutenant  Trippe  received  eleven  sabre  wounds, 
some  of  them  dangerous.  The  blade  of  his  sword 
bending,  he  closed  with  his  antagonist.  Both  fell. 
In  the  struggle,  Trippe  wrested  the  Turk's  sword 
from  him,  and,  with  it,  stabbed  him  to  the  heart. 

Lieutenant  Bainbridge  had  his  lateen  yards  shot 
away.  This  rendered  all  his  exertions  to  get  along 
side  the  enemy's  boats  of  no  effect.  But  his  brisk 
and  well  directed  fire,  within  musket  shot,  did  great 
execution.  At  one  time  his  boat  grounded  within 
pistol  shot  of  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries.  He  was 
there  exposed  to  the  fire  of  musketry  ;  but,  by  his 
address  and  courage,  he  extricated  himself  from  his 
dangerous  situation. 

Captain  Somers  was  not  able  to  get  far  enough  to 
windward,  to  co-operate  with  Decatur.  He,  how- 
ever, bore  down  upon  the  leeward  division  of  the  en- 


32  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

emy.  With  his  single  boat,  he  attacked  five  full 
manned  Tripolitan  boats,  within  pistol  shot.  He  de- 
feated, and  drove  them  in  a  shattered  condition,  and 
with  the  loss  of  many  lives,  to  take  refuge  under  the 
rocks. 

The  two  bomb  vessels  kept  their  station,  and  threw 
a  great  many  shells  into  the  town.  Five  of  the  ene- 
my's gun-boats,  and  two  galleys,  composing  their 
centre  division,  stationed  within  the  rocks,  being  re- 
inforced, and  all  joined  by  the  gun-boats  that  had  been 
driven  in,  twice  attempted  to  row  out  and'  surround 
the  gun-boats  and  prizes  of  the  Americans.  They 
were,  however,  prevented  by  the  vigilance  of  the  com- 
modore, who  made  signal  for  the  brigs  and  schooners 
to  cover  them.  This  was  properly  executed  by 
these  vessels.  Their  conduct  was  excellent  during 
the  whole  of  the  engagement,  and  they  annoyed  the 
enemy  exceedingly.  The  fire  from  the  Constitution 
did  considerable  execution,  and  kept  the  enemy's 
flotilla  in  constant  disorder.  She  was  several  times 
within  two  cables'  length  of  the  rocks,  and  three  of 
the  batteries.  As  soon  as  her  broadside  was  brought 
to  bear  on  any  of  the  batteries,  it  was  immediately 
silenced.  But  having  no  large  vessels  to  secure 
these  advantages,  the  fire  was  recommenced  as  soon 
as  she  changed  her  position. 

At  half  past  four,  the  wind  having  inclined  to  the 
northward,  and  the  enemy's  flotilla  having  retreated 
to  a  station  which  covered  them  from  the  fire  of  the 
Americans,  signal  was  made  for  the  gun-boats  and 
bombs  to  retire  from  the  action.  This  was  effect- 


BATTLES.  33 

ed,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  the  squadron  was  out  of 
the  reach  of  the  enemy's  shot.  The  squadron  was 
more  than  two  hours  within  grape  shot  distance  of 
the  enemy's  batteries,  which  kept  up  a  constant  fire. 
The  damage  sustained  by  the  Americans  was  by  no 
means  proportionate  to  the  apparent  danger.  The 
frigate  Constitution  was  struck  in  her  mainmast  by 
a  thirty-two  pound  ball,  her  sails  and  rigging  were 
considerably  cut,  and  one  of  her  quarter-deck  guns 
was  injured  by  a  round  shot  ;  not  a  man,  however, 
was  killed  on  board  of  her.  The  other  vessels  suf- 
fered in  their  rigging,  and  had  several  men  wound- 
ed ;  but  none  were  killed,  excepting  lieutenant  De- 
catur.  On  the  part  of  the  enemy  the  effect  of  this 
engagement  was  very  different.  The  boats  cap- 
tured by  the  Americans  had  one  hundred  and  three 
men  on  board,  forty-seven  of  whom  were  killed  and 
twenty-six  wounded.  Three  other  boats  were  sunk 
with  all  the  men  on  board  of  them.  Numbers  were 
also  swept  from  the  decks  of  the  other  vessels  in  the 
harbour.  On  shore,  several  Tripolitans  were  kill- 
ed and  wounded ;  a  number  of  guns  in  the  batteries 
were  dismounted  and  the  town  was  considerably  in- 
jured. 

When  the  squadron  was  standing  in  for  the  attack, 
the  bashaw  affected  to  despise  them.  After  having 
surveyed  them  from  his  palace,  he  said,  "  they  will 
mark  their  distance  for  tacking  ;  they  are  a  sort  of 
Jews,  who  have  no  notion  of  fighting."  The  palace 
and  terraces  of  the  houses  were  crowded  with  spec- 
tators to  behold  the  chastisement  the  bashaw's  bosrti 


34  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

would  give  the  American  vessels  if  they  approach- 
ed too  near.  Momentary,  however,  was  this  exul- 
tation. Scarcely  had  the  battle  commenced,  when 
no  one  was  to  be  seen,  except  at  the  batteries. 
Many  of  the  inhabitants  fled  to  the  country  :  and  the 
bashaw  retreated  to  his  bomb-proof  room. 

On  the  5th  of  August  the  commodore  prevailed  on 
a  French  privateer,  that  had  left  Tripoli  in  the 
morning,  to  return  with  eleven  wounded  Tripolitans, 
whose  wounds  had  been  carefully  dressed.  The 
commodore  also  sent  a  letter  to  the  bashaw's 
minister.  The  prisoners  informed  the  prince,  that 
the  Americans  in  battle  where  fiercer  than  lions,  but 
in  the  treatment  of  their  prisoners,  they  were  even 
more  kind  than  the  mussulmen.  The  bashaw  at 
first  misunderstood  the  motive  of  sending  these  men 
but  when  informed  that  it  was  done  through  motives 
of  humanity,  he  professed  to  be  pleased,  and  said  that 
if  he  took  any  wounded  Americans,  he  should  in 
like  manner,  restore  them  :  but  he  would  not  release 
any  of  the  crew  of  the  Philadelphia. 

On  the  7th  the  privateer  returned  with  a  letter 
from  the  French  consul,  signifying,  that  the  bashaw 
would  probably  treat  on  more  reasonable  terms.  No- 
thing, however,  definitive  or  satisfactory  was  pro- 
posed. The  terms  intimated  were  considerably  high- 
er than  the  commodore  felt  willing,  or  thought  himself 
authorized  to  accept.  He  therefore  prepared  for  a 
second  attack.  The  bomb-ketches,  commanded  by" 
lieutenants  Crane  and  Thorn,  were  to  take  a  station 
in  a  small  bay  west  of  the  town,  where,  without  be- 


NAV>L     BATTLES.  35 

ing  much  exposed,  they  might  throw  their  shells  \vith 
great  effect.  The  gun-boats  were  to  attack  a  seven 
gun  batten.  The  brijjs  and  schooners  wore  to  sup- 
port them,  in  case  the  enemy's  flotilla  should  ven- 
ture out.  At  half-past  two,  the  action  commenced. 
In  the  course  of  two  hours,  six  of  the  seven  guns  in 
the  battery  were  silenced.  During  the  action,  forty 
eight  shells  and  about  five  hundred  round  shot  were 
thrown  into  the  town  and  batteries.  The  Tripolitan 
galleys  manoeuvred  to  gain  a  position  that  might  en- 
able them  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  American  gun- 
boats ;  but  the  large  vessels  defeated  their  design. 
One  of  the  American  prize  boats,  taken  in  the  first 
attack,  was  blown  up  by  a  red-hot  shot  from  the  bat- 
tery passing  through  her  magazine.  She  had  on 
board  twenty-eight  men,  ten  of  whom  were  killed, 
and  six  wounded  :  among  the  former  were  James 
Caldwell,  first  lieutenant  of  the  Siren,  and  J.  Dorset, 
midshipman.  Mr.  Spence,  midshipman,  and  eleven 
men,  were  taken  up  unhurt.  When  the  explosion 
took  place,  this  young  officer  was  superintending  the 
loading  of  a  gun ;  having  discharged  the  piece,  he 
with  the  survivers  jumped  into  the  sea.  They  were 
soon  taken  up  by  another  boat. 

At  eight  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  the  John 
Adams,  Captain  Chauncy,  joined  the  Squadron.  By 
him  the  Commodore  was  informed,  that  four  frigates 
were  on  their  passage ;  also,  that  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  senior  officer  to  one  of  the  frigates,  he 
would  be  superseded  in  his  command.  The  govern- 
ment was  highly  satisfied  with  the  conduct  of  the 


36  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

commodore  ;  but  had  not  a  sufficient  number  of  cap- 
tains juniors  to  the  commodore  to  supply  all  the  fri- 
gates with  commanders ;  nor  had  information  of  his 
brilliant  success  as  yet  reached  America. 

The  John  Adams  having  been  sent  out  as  a  trans- 
port, no  assistance  could,  for  the  present,  be  received 
from  her.  All  her  guns  were  stowed  by  the  kelson, 
and  their  carriages  put  away  on  board  of  the  other 
frigates.  As  these  last  were  all  to  sail  four  days 
after  the  John  Adams,  further  operations  were  sus- 
pended in  expectation  of  their  arrival. 

On  the  9th,  the  commodore  reconnoitred  the  harbor, 
in  the  brig  Argus.  Next  day  a  flag  of  truce  was  seen 
flying  on  the  shore.  The  commodore  sent  a  boat, 
but  which,  however,  was  not  permitted  to  land  her 
men.  They  returned  with  a  letter  from  the  French 
Consul.  By  it  the  commodore  was  informed  that 
the  bashaw  would  accept  five  hundred  dollars  for 
the  ransom  of  each  prisoner,  and  put  an  end  to  the 
war  without  any  annuity  for  peace.  The  sum  de- 
manded amounted  to  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  This  the  commodore  rejected ; 
but  for  the  sake  of  the  captives,  and  to  prevent  fur- 
ther effusion  of  blood,  he  offered  eighty  thousand 
dollars  as  ransom,  and  ten  thousand  dollars  as  pre- 
sents. The  bashaw,  however,  suspended  the  nego- 
tiations, and  said  he  would  wait  the  result  of  another 
attack. 

On  the  night  of  the  23d,  the  bomb-ketches  were 
sent  under  the  protection  of  the  gun-boats,  to  bom- 
bard the  town.  The  bombardment  commenced  at 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  37 

two  A.  M.  and  continued  till  day-break ;  but  without 
much  effect. 

The  weather  being  favorable  on  the  27th  the  com- 
modore stood  in  for  Tripoli,  and  anchored  the  Con- 
stitution two  miles  N.  by  E.  from  fort  English.  The 
light  vessels  kept  under  way.  As  a  number  of  offi- 
cers and  seamen  of  the  Constitution  were  employed 
in  the  boat,  captain  Chauncy,  several  of  his  officers, 
and  about  seventy  seamen,  volunteered  their  servi- 
ces on  board  her. 

The  gun-boats,  accompanied  by  the  Siren,  Argus, 
Vixen,  Nautilus,  Enterprize,  and  the  boats  of  the 
squadron,  anchored  at  three  in  the  morning  within 
pistol  shot  of  the  enemy's  lines.  With  springs  on 
-their  cables,  they  commenced  a  brisk  fire  on  the  ship- 
ping, town,  batteries,  and  castle.  It  was  warmly  re- 
turned from  the  enemy's  batteries.  The  boats  of  the 
squadron  remained  with  the  gun-boats  to  assist  in 
boarding  the  flotilla  in  case  it  should  come  out.  The 
brigs  and  schooners  kept  under  way,  to  harass  the  ene- 
my, and  to  support  the  gun-boats.  At  daylight,  the 
commodore,  apprehensive  that  the  ammunition  of  the 
gun-boats  might  be  nearly  expended,  weighed  an- 
chor, and  stood  in  under  the  direct  fire  of  fort  Eng- 
lish, and  of  the  castle,  crown  and  mole  batteries. 
He  made  signal  for  the  gun-boats  to  retire  from  ac- 
tion. Having  arrived  at  a  good  distance  for  firing 
at  thirteen  Tripolitan  gun-boats,  and  galleys,  en- 
gaged with  the  American  boats,  he  discharged  a 
broadside  of  round  and  grape  shot  at  them.  One  of 
them  was  sunk  ;  two  were  disabled  ;  and  the  remam- 

Q  n  1  «>  rr 


38  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

der  put  to  flight.  The  commodore  then  continued 
running  in  until  within  musket  shot  of  the  batteries 
He  hove  to,  fired  three  hundred  round  shot,  besides 
grape  and  canister,  into  the  bashaw's  castle,  town 
and  batteries.  The  castle  and  two  of  the  batteries 
were  silenced.  A  little  after  six  he  hauled  off.  The 
gun-boats  fired  four  hundred  round  shot,  besides 
grape  and  cannister,  apparently  with  much  effect. 
The  result  of  this  attack  was  serious  on  shore.  A 
thirty-six  pound  ball  penetrated  the  castle,  and  en- 
tered the  apartment  of  the  prisoners.  Considerable 
damage  was  done  to  the  houses.  Several  lives  were 
lost.  A  boat  from  the  John  Adams,  with  a  master's 
mate  and  eight  men  on  board,  was  sunk  by  a  double 
headed  shot,  which  killed  three  seamen  and  badly 
wounded  another. 

The  French  consul,  immediately  after  the  attack, 
renewed  the  negotiations  for  peace.  They  were, 
however,  broken  off,  in  consequence,  he  thought,  of 
one  of  the  vessels  of  the  squadron  approaching  the 
harbour  as  a  cartel.  This  the  bashaw  interpreted  as 
a  proof  of  discouragement  on  the  part  of  the  Ameri- 
cans. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  the  bomb-ketches  being 
repaired,  and  also  the  damages  sustained  by  the  other 
vessels  in  the  action  of  the  27th  of  August,  the  com- 
modore resolved  on  another  attack.  The  action 
commenced  between  three  and  four  o'clock,  and  soon 
became  general.  As  the  American  gun-boats  bore 
down,  the  boats  and  galleys  gave  away,  and  retreat- 
ed under  cover  of  the  musketry,  on  shore.  The 


i;s.  39 

brigs,  schooners  and  gun-boats,  pursued  as  far  as  the 
depth  of  the  water  would  permit,  and  within  mus- 
ket shot  of  fort  English.  The  action  in  this  quarter 
was  divided.  The  brigs  and  schooners,  with  one  di- 
vision of  the  gun-boats  engaged  the  fort.  The  oth- 
er division  continued  engaged  with  the  Tripolitan 
boats  and  galleys. 

The  two  bomb-ketches,  while  throwing  their 
shells  into  the  town  were  exposed  to  a  direct  fire  from 
the  bashaw's  castle,  from  the  crown,  mole,  and  sev- 
rral  other  batteries.  The  commodore,  perceiving 
their  danger,  ran  his  ship  between  them  and  the  bat- 
teries, within  musket  shot.  Seventy  guns  were 
brought  to  bear  on  him  from  the  batteries.  But  he 

o 

discharged  eleven  broadsides  with  so  much  effect, 
that  he  silenced  the  principal  batteries,  and  injured 
the  others,  and  also  the  town  considerably.  The 
wind  veering  to  the  northward,  and  it  beginning  10 
blow  fresh,  the  commodore,  at  half  past  four  p.  M. 
gave  signal  to  retire  from  the  action  under  cover  of 
the  Constitution.  Though  the  frigates  and  vessels 
were  .much  damaged  in  this  engagement,  not  a  man 
was  lost. 

The  bomb-vessel,  commanded  by  lieutenant  Rob- 
inson, had  all  her  shrouds  shot  away,  and  was  so 
much  damaged  in  her  hull,  as  to  be  with  difficulty 
kept  above  water.  The  Argus  received  a  thirty- 
two  pound  ball  in  her  hull.  It  cut  away  a  lower 
cable  as  it  entered,  which  so  completely  destroyed 
its  force,  that  it  fell  upon  the  deck  without  doing 
any  injury. 


40 

Commodore  Preble  had  for  some  time  contempla- 
ted sending  a  fire-ship  into  the  harbor,  in  order  to 
destroy  the  flotilla,  and  injure  the  town.  Captain 
Somers  volunteered  his  services.  He,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  lieutenants  Wadsworth  and  Israel,  fitting 
out  the  ketch  Intrepid  for  the  expedition.  One 
hundred  barrels  of  gunpowder  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty  shells  were  placed  in  the  hold.  Fusees  and 
combustibles  were  so  applied  as  not  to  endanger  a 
retreat. 

On  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  September,  captain 
Somers  chose  two  fast-rowing  boats,  in  order  to 
bring  off  the  people  after  the  vessel  should  be  set  on 
fire.  His  own  boat  was  manned  by  four  men  from 
the  Nautilus  and  six  from  the  Constitution,  with 
lieutenant  Wadsworth.  At  eight  they  parted  from 
the  squadron,  and  stood  into  the  harbour.  They 
were  convoyed  by  the  Argus,  Vixen,  and  Nautilus, 
until  arrived  within  a  short  distance  from  the  batte- 
ries. On  entering  the  inner  harbour,  and  near  the 
point  of  her  destination,  the  fire  ship  was  boarded 
and  carried  by  two  galleys  of  one  hundred  men  each. 
At  this  moment  she  exploded  with  the  most  awful 
effect.  Every  battery  was  silenced.  Not  a  gun 
was  fired  during  the  remainder  of  the  night.  There 
is  every  reason  to  suppose  that  captain  Somers,  on 
perceiving  no  means  of  escape  left,  and  that  he  should 
inevitably  be  doomed  to  an  ignominious  captivity, 
heroically  resolved  to  die,  and  with  his  own  hands 
set  fire  to  the  train,  when  himself,  his  companions, 
and  the  enemy,  met  a  common  death. 


NAVAL     BAlTLLrf.  41 

this,  nothing  material  occurred  until  Sep- 
tember 9th,  when  the  long  expected  squadron,  under 
commodore  Barren,  joined  the  one  before  Tripoli, 
Here  ended  the  command  of  commodore  Preble,  so 
honourable  to  himself  and  his  country.  All  joined 
in  praising  his  distinguished  merit.  The  Pope  made 
a  publick  declaration,  that,  "  the  United  States, 
though  in  their  infancy,  had,  in  this  affair,  done  more 
to  humble  the  antichristian  barbarians  on  that  coast, 
than  all  the  European  States  had  done  for  a  long 
series  of  time."  Sir  Alexander  Ball-  a  distinguished 
commander  in  the  British  navy,  addressed  commo- 
dore Preble  as  follows  : — "  I  beg  to  repeat  my  con 
gratulations  on  the  services  you  have  rendered  your 
country,  and  the  hair-breadth  escapes  you  have  had  in 
setting  a  distinguished  example.  Your  bravery  and 
enterprise  are  worthy  a  great  and  rising  nation.  If 
I  were  to  offer  my  opinion,  it  should  be,  that  you 
have  done  well  not  to  purchase  a  peace  with  the 
enemy.  A  few  brave  men  have  indeed  been  sacri- 
ficed ;  but  they  could  not  have  fallen  in  a  better 
cause  ;  and  I  even  conceive  it  advisable  to  risk  more 
lives  rather  than  submit  to  terms  which  might  encour- 
age the  Barbary  states  to  add  fresh  demands  and 
«  insults."  ! 

After  the  junction  of  the  two  squadrons,  commo- 
dore Preble  obtained  leave  to  return  home.  This 
he  did  with  the  greater  pleasure,  as  it  would  give  the 
command  of  a  frigate  to  captain  Decatur.  On  his 
return  to  the  United  States,  he  was  received  and 
treated  every  where  with  that  distinguished  atten- 
6 


42  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

tion,  which  he  had  so  fully  merited.  Congress  vot- 
ed him  their  thanks,  and  requested  the  President  to 
present  him  with  an  emblematical  medal.* 


RENCOUNTER  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  AND  LITTLE 

BELT. 

PURSUANT  to  instructions  from  the  navy  depart- 
ment, on  the  10th  of  May,  1°>11,  commodore  Rod- 
gers,  commanding  the  frigate  President,  sailed  from 
Annapolis  for  New  York.  On  the  16th,  about  noon 
and  within  six  leagues  from  land,  a  sail  was  discover- 
ed to  the  eastward,  standing  towards  the  President. 
The  commodore  perceived  it  to  be  a  man  of  war ; 
and  supposed  it  to  be  the  British  frigate  Guerriere, 
which  frigate,  it  was  also  supposed,  had,  a  few  days 
before,  impressed  a  boy  from  on  board  an  American 
brig,  near  Sandy  Hook.  Commodore  Rodgers, 
considering  it  his  duty  to  know  the  names  and 
character  of  all  foreign  vessels  hovering  on  the  coast 
resolved  to  speak  to  her.  He  also  hoped,  that,  if 
she  proved  to  be  the  Guerriere,  he  might  prevail  on 
her  commander  to  relinquish  the  young  man.  At 
half  past  three,  the  commodore  perceived  his  ship  to 
be  gaining  upon  the  chase,  but  the  wind  decreasing, 
he  did  not  come  up  with  her  till  it  was  too  dark  to 
discover  her  actual  force ;  nor  could  he  discover  to 
*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  148 — 163. 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  43 

what  nation  she  belonged,  as  she  declined  showing 
her  colours.  At  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  past  sev- 
en, the  chase  took  in  her  studding  sails,  and  soon 
after  hauled  up  her  courses.  She  then  hauled  by  the 
wind  on  the  starboard  tack  ;  and  at  the  same  time, 
hoisted  an  ensign  or  flag  at  her  mizzen  peak.  It  was 
however,  too  dark  to  discover  what  nation  it  repre- 
sented. Her  broadside  was  now  for  the  first  time 
presented  to  view.  Though  her  appearance  indicat- 
ed a  frigate,  darkness  prevented  her  actual  force  be- 
ing ascertained. 

At  twenty  minutes  past  eight,  the  President  being 
a  little  forward  of  the  weather  beam  of  the  chase, 
and  distant  between  seventy  and  a  hundred  yards 
from  her,  the  commodore  hailed,  "  What  ship  is  that?" 
To  this  no  answer  was  given  ;  but  the  question  was 
repeated  from  on  board  the  chase.  After  a  short 
pause,  the  question  was  repeated  by  the  commodore 
and  immediately  a  shot  was  fired  into  the  President. 
Just  as  the  commodore  was  about  giving  orders  for 
a  shot  to  be  fired  in  return,  one  was  actually  fired 
from  the  second  division  of  the  President.  This  was 
returned  from  the  other  vessel,  by  three  guns  in  quick 
succession,  and,  soon  after,  by  the  remainder  of  his 
broadside  and  musketry.  The  commodore  then  gave 
a  general  order  to  fire.  The  fire  from  the  President 
having,  in  a  few  minutes,  produced  a  partial  silence 
of  the  guns  of  the  other  vessel,  the  commodore  gave 
orders  to  cease  firing,  judging  that  she  must  be  a  ship  of 
very  inferiour  force,  or  that  some  untoward  accident 
had  happened  to  her.  This  order  commodore  Rodg- 


44  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

ers  soon  had  reason  to  regret.  The  fire  was  renewed 
from  the  other  vessel,  and  two  of  its  thirty-two  pound 
shot  cut  off  one  of  the  fore  shrouds  and  injured  the 
fore-mast  of  the  President.  He  therefore  immedi- 
ately ordered  a  recommencement  of  the  fire.  It  con- 
tinued for  a  few  minutes,  when  the  commodore,  per- 
ceiving his  opponent's  gaff  and  colours  down,  his 
main-top-sail  yard  upon  vhe  cap,  and  his  fire  silenc- 
ed, again  ordered  thfe  ,u  ing  to  cease,  to  prevent  a  fur- 
ther effusion  of  blood.  After  a  short  pause,  perceiv- 
ing his  adversary  was  not  disposed  to  renew  the  ac- 
tion, the  commodore  again  hailed,  and  was  informed 
that  she  was  a  British  ship ;  but,  from  the  wind 
blowing  fresh,  he  was  unable  to  learn  her  name. 

Commodore  Rodgers,  having  informed  the  British 
commander  of  the  name  of  his  ship,  gave  orders  to 
wear ;  to  run  under  the  lee  of  the  British  ship ;  to 
haul  by  the  wind  on  the  starboard  tack  ;  to  heave  to 
under  top-sails ;  and  repair  the  little  damage  that  had 
been  sustained  in  the  rigging. 

The  President  continued  lying  to  all  night  on  dif- 
ferent tacks,  with  lights  displayed,  that  the  British 
vessel  might  better  discern  her  position,  and  com- 
mand any  assistance  that  she  might  require  during 
the  night.  At  day  light  she  was  discovered  several 
miles  to  leeward.  The  commodore  gave  orders  to 
bear  up  and  run  down  to  her  under  easy  sail.  After 
hailing  her,  he  sent  a  boat  on  board,  with  lieutenant 
Creighton,  to  learn  the  name  of  the  ship  and  her 
commander,  with  instructions  to  ascertain  the  damage 
she  had  sustained,  and  to  state  how  much  he  regret- 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  45 

ted,  on  his  part,  the  necessity  that  led  to  so  unhappy 
a  result,  and  to  offer  every  assistance  in  his  power, 
in  repairing  the  damages.  Lieutenant  Creighton, 
returned  with  information  that  the  vessel  was  his 
Britannick  majesty's  ship  Little  Belt,  captain  Bing- 
ham,  of  eighteen  guns ;  and  that  the  captain  declin- 
ed accepting  any  assistance.  The  Little  Belt  had 
nine  men  killed  and  twenty-two  wounded.  No  one 
was  killed  on  board  the  President,  and  only  a  boy 
wounded. 

Captain  Bingham's  account  differs  materially  from 
the  preceding  statement.  He  denies  having  fired 
the  first  gun ;  asserts  that  the  action  lasted  three 
quarters  of  an  hour  ;  and  even  intimates  that  he  had 
gained  the  advantage  in  the  contest.  Commodore 
Rodgers's  account,  from  which  the  one  here  given 
is  taken,  was  confirmed  by  all  his  officers  and  crew, 
on  their  solemn  oath,  before  a  court  of  inquiry.  The 
court  also  confirmed  all  the  particulars  of  his  state- 
ment, after  a  long  and  minute  investigation.* 


THE  PRESIDENT  AND  BELVIDERE. 

A  FORMAL  declaration  of  war  against  Great  Bri- 
tain was  passed  by  Congress  on  the  18th  of  June, 
1812,  which  was  proclaimed  by  the  President   of 
the  United   States  on  the  following  day.     On   the 
*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p    168. 


46  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

21st,  Commodore  Ro'dgers,  having  received  official 
information  of  the  event,  set  sail  from  New  York, 
accompanied  by  the  frigates  United  States  and  Con- 
gress, and  the  brigs  Hornet  and  Argus,  in  search  of 
a  British  fleet  of  merchantmen,  which  had  sailed 
from  Jamaica  the  preceding  month.  The  following 
night  information  was  received  of  the  convoy  from 
an  American  brig,  which  had  passed  them  four  days 
before,  and  the  squadron  crowded  all  sail  in  pursuit. 
The  next  morning,  however,  their  course  was  al- 
tered by  the  appearance  of  the  British  frigate  Bel- 
videre,  to  which  the  commodore  immediately  gave 
chase.  The  pursuit  continued  from  six*  in  the  morn- 
ing, till  past  four  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  Presi- 
dent, having  got  within  gun-shot,  commenced  a  fire 
with  the  bow  chase  guns  at  the  spars  and  rigging  of 
the  Belvidere,  in  hopes  of  crippling  her  so  as  to  ena- 
ble them  to  get  along  side.  The  Belvidere  returned 
the  fire  of  the  President  with  her  stern  guns,  and  the 
firing  was  kept  up  without  intermission  for  about  ten 
minutes,  when  one  of  the  President's  chase  guns 
burst,  by  which  unfortunate  accident  sixteen  men 
were  killed  and  wounded  ;  among  the  wounded  was 
commodore  Rodgers, who  had  his  leg  fractured.  By 
the  bursting  of  the  gun,  and  the  explosion  bf  the 
passing  box,  from  which  it  was  served  with  powder, 
both  the  main  and  forecastle  decks  were  so  much 
shattered  as  to  prevent  the  use  of  a  chase  gun  on  that 
side  for  some  time.  Orders  were  therefore  given 
to  veer  the  ship,  and  a  broadside  was  fired  in  the 
bope  of  disabling  the  spars  of  the  enemy ;  but  this 


NAVAL      I5.\  I  1I.ES.  47 

did  not  succeed.  Considerable  damage,  however, 
was  done  to  the  rigging  and  the  stern.  The  utmost 
exertion  was  now  used  on  board  the  President,  by 
wetting  the  sails,  &c.  to  gain  ground  of  her  oppo- 
nent; but  without  success.  A  constant  firing  was 
kept  up  from  both  ships,  until  about  seven  o'clock  ; 
when  the  Belvidere,  having  cut  away  her  anchors, 
started  a  number  of  water  casks,  and  thrown  over- 
board her  boats  and  every  thing  that  could  be  spar- 
ed, got  out  of  the  reach  of  the  President's  shot. 
The  chase  was  continued  till  about  midnight,  when 
it  was  given  up  as  hopeless.  One^of  the  first  shots 
fired  by  the  President  killed  one  man  and  wounded 
six  on  board  the  Belvidere  ;  and  the  captain  was  se- 
verely wounded  in  the  thigh  by  the  breaking  of  the 
breaching  of  a  carronade.  On  board  the  President 
there  were  three  killed  and  nineteen  wounded,  the 
greater  part  by  the  bursting  of  the  gun  as  above 
related. 


ESCAPE  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION. 

THE  frigate  Constitution,  commanded  by  captain 
Isaac  Hull,  had  received  orders  to  join  the  squadron 
(under  commodore  Rodgers,)  and,  for  that  purpose, 
sailed  from  Annapolis  on  the  5th  of  July.  On  the 
17th,  off  Egg  Harbour,  four  ships,  apparently  men 
of  war,  were  discovered  from  the  mast-head  to  the 


48  NAVAL  BATTLES. 

northward,  and  in  shore  of  the  Constitution ;  and,  in 
the  belief  that  it  was  the  American  squadron,  wait- 
ing her  arrival,  all  sail  was  made  in  chase  of  them. 
At  four  in  the  afternoon,  another  ship  was  seen  to 
the  northeast,  standing  for  the  Constitution,  with  all 
sail  set.  At  ten  in  the  evening,  being  then  within 
six  or  eight  miles  of  the  strange  sail,  the  private 
signal  was  made  by  the  Constitution ;  which  not 
being  answered,  it  was  concluded  that  she,  and  the 
ships  in  shore,  were  enemy's  vessels.  Captain  Hull 
immediately  laid  his  vessel  in  the  same  course  with 
the  others,  having  determined  to  lie  off  till  daylight 
to  see  what  they  were. 

Next  morning,  two  frigates  were  seen  from  the 
Constitution,  under  her  lee,  one  frigate  four  or  five 
miles,  and  a  line  of  battle  ship,  a  frigate,  a  brig  and 
a  schooner,  ten  or  twelve  miles  directly  astern,  all 
"in  chase,  and  coming  up  fast,  they  having  a  fine 
breeze,  and  it  being  nearly  calm  where  the  Constitu- 
tion was.  Finding  there  was  but  little  chance  for 
escape,  being  then  within  five  miles  of  three  heavy 
frigates,  the  Constitution  was  cleared  for  action,  and 
two  guns  were  run  out  at  the  cabin  windows  and 
two  at  the  ports  on  the  quarterdeck.  At  eight 
o'clock,  four  of  the  ships  were  nearly  within  gun- 
shot, some  of  them  having  six  or  eight  boats  ahead, 
towing  with  all  their  oars  and  sweeps  out. 

In  this  perilous  situation  a  new  expedient  was 
adopted,  which  was  the  means  of  saving  the  vessel. 
Being  in  only  twenty-four  fathoms  water,  boats 
were  sent  out  ahead  with  anchors,  and  the  ship 


NAVAL  BATTLES* 


50  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

warped  up  to  them,  by  which  they  soon  began  to 
get  ahead  of  the  enemy.  They,  however,  adopted 
the  same  plan,  and  all  the  boats  from  the  most  dis- 
tant ships  were  sent  to  assist  those  which  were  near- 
est. For  two  days  and  nights  the  Constitution  was 
thus  chased  by  the  British  squadron,  sometimes  with 
light  winds,  at  others,  warping  and  towing  in  a  calm, 
seldom  much  beyond  gun-shot  distance.  On  the 
morning  of  the  20th,  only  three  of  the  squadron 
could  be  seen  from  the  mast-head,  the  nearest  about 
twelve  miles  distant,  directly  astern.  A  light  breeze 
now  springing  up,  the  enemy  was  soon  left  far  be- 
hind, and  the  Constitution,  not  being  able  to  find  the 
American  squadron,  arrived  safe  at  Boston. 

During  the  whole  of  the  chase  the  gallant  crew  ot 
the  Constitution  remained  at  their  stations.  It  is  re- 
lated on  good  authority,  that  the  officers  of  the  British 
ships  expressed  their  admiration  of  the  skill  with 
which  Captain  Hull  manoeuvred  his  ship  and  effected 
his  escape. 

But  however  brilliantly  the  nautical  knowledge 
and  professional  adroitness  of  captain  Hull  were  dis- 
played on  that  occasion,  his  generous  disinterested- 
ness afterwards,  is  worthy  of  universal  applause  and 
imitation.  The  publick  -  notice  taken  of  the  affair, 
and  the  praises  bestowed  on  the  commander,  induced 
him,  on  his  arrival  at  Boston,  to  insert  the  following 
card  on  the  books  of  the  Exchange  Coffee  House. 

"  Captain  Hull,  finding  thai  his  friends  in  Boston  are 
correctly  informed  of  his  situation,  when  chased  by 
the  British  squadron  off  New  York,  and  that  they 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  51 

are  good  enough  to  give  him  more  credit  for  having 
escaped  it  than  he  ought  to  claim,  takes  this  oppor- 
tunity of  requesting  them  to  transfer  their  good 
wishes  to  lieutenant  Morris  and  the  other  brave 
officers,  and  the  crew  under  his  command,  for  their 
very  great  exertions  and  prompt  attention  to  his  or- 
ders while  the  enemy  were  in  chase.  Captain  Hull 
has  great  pleasure  in  saying,  that  notwithstanding 
the  length  of  the  chase,  and  the  officers  and  ere w  be- 
ing deprived  of  sleep,  and  allowed  but  little  refresh- 
ment during  the  time,  not  a  murmur  was  heard  to 
escape  them." 


CAPTURE  OF   THE  GUERRIERE. 

ON  the  second  day  of  August,  the  Constitution 
again  set  sail,  pursuing  an  easterly  course.  She 
passed  near  the  coast  as  far  down  as  the  Bay  of  Fun- 
dy ;  then  ran  off  Halifax  and  Cape  Sable  ;  and  not 
seeing  any  vessels  for  some  days,  captain  Hull  steer- 
ed toward  Newfoundland,  passed  the  Isle  of  Sables, 
and  took  a  station  off  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  to 
intercept  the  Canada  trade.  While  cruising  here,  he 
captured  two  merchant  vessels.  On  the  15th,  he 
chased  a  convoy  of  five  sail,  captured  one  of  them, 
and  prevented  the  prize  ship  of  an  American  priva- 
teer from  being  retaken.  Having  received  informa- 
tion that  the  British  squadron  were  off  the  Grand 


52  KAVAL     BATTLES. 

Bank,  and  not  far  distant,  he  changed  his  cruising 
ground,  and  stood  to  the  southward. 

On  the  memorable  19th  of  August,  at  two  P.  M. 
the  Constitution  being  in  latitude,  forty-one  degrees 
and  forty-two  minutes  north,  and  fifty-five  degrees 
and  thirty-three  minutes  west  longitude,  a  vessel 
was  discovered  to  the  southward.  The  Constitution 
instantly  made  all  sail  in  chase,  and  soon  gained  on 
her.  At  three  P.  M.  it  could  plainly  be  perceived 
she  was  a  ship,  on  the  starboard  tack,  under  easy 
sail,  close  hauled  to  the  wind.  At  half  past  three, 
she  wras  ascertained  to  be  a  frigate.  The  Constitu- 
tion continued  the  chase.  At  about  three  miles  dis- 
tance, captain  Hull  ordered  the  light  sails  to  be  ta- 
ken in,  the  courses  to  be  hauled  up,  and  the  ship  to 
be  cleared  for  action.  The  chase  now  backed  her 
main-top-sail,  and  waited  for  the  Constitution  to 
come  down.  As  soon  as  the  Constitution  was  ready 
for  action,  she  bore  down,  intending  to  bring  imme- 
diately to  close  action  the  British  frigate,  which  had 
about  this  time  hoisted  three  English  ensigns  in  token 
of  defiance.  As  soon  as  the  Constitution  came  with- 
in gun-shot,  the  British  frigate  fired  her  broadside  ; 
then  filled  away,  wore,  and  gave  a  broadside  on  the 
other  tack.  They  however,  produced  no  effect,  her 
shot  fell  short.  The  British  frigate  manoeuvred  and 
wore  several  times  for  about  three  quarters  of  an 
hour,  in  order  to  obtain  a  raking  position.  But  not 
succeeding  in  this,  she  bore  up  under  her  top-sails 
and  jib  with  the  wind  on  the  quarter.  Captain  Hull 
immediately  made  sail  to  bring  his  ship  up  with  her. 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


53 


54  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

At  five  minutes  before  six,  p.  M.  the  Constitution 
being  along  side,  within  pistol-shot,  he  ordered  a 
brisk  firing  to  be  commenced  from  all  her  guns,  which 
were  double-shotted  with  round  and  grape  shot;  and 
so  well  directed  and  so  warmly  kept  up  was  the  Amer- 
ican fire,  that,  in  fifteen  minutes,  the  mizzen-mast  of 
the  British  frigate  went  by  the  board,  and  her  main- 
yard  in  her  slings.  Her  hull  was  much  injured  ;  and 
her  rigging  and  sails  torn  to  pieces.  The  fire  was 
kept  up,  in  the  same  spirited  manner,  for  fifteen  min- 
utes longer,  by  the  Constitution.  She  had  now  taken 
a  position  for  raking,  on  the  bows  of  the  British  fri- 
gate ;  when  the  latter  could  only  bring  her  bow  guns 
to  bear  on  the  Constitution.  The  grape-shot  and 
small  arms  of  the  Constitution  completely  swept  the 
decks  of  the  British  frigate.  Thirty  minutes  after 
the  commencement  of  the  action  by  the  Constitution, 
the  mainmast  and  foremast  of  the  British  frigate 
went  by  the  board,  taking  with  them  every  spar  ex- 
cept the  bowsprit.  She  then  struck  her  colours, 
which  had  been  fastened  to  the  stump  of  the  mizzen- 
mast.  The  Constitution  then  set  fore  and  main-sails, 
and  hauled  to  the  eastward  to  repair  damages.  All 
her  braces,  a  great  part  of  her  standing  and  running  rig- 
ging, and  some  of  her  spars,  were  shot  away.  At 
seven,  p.  M.  she  stood  under  the  lee  of  the  prize, 
and  sent  a  boat  on  board,  which  returned  at  eight 
with  captain  Dacres,  commander  of  the  frigate.  She 
was  the  Guerriere,  rating  thirty-eight,  and  mounting 
forty-nine  guns.  The  hull  of  the  Guerriere  was  so 
much  shattered,  that  a  few  more  broadsides  would 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  55 

have  sunk  her.  She  had  fifteen  men  killed,  sixty- 
one  wounded,  and  twenty-four  missing,  who,  it  is 
presumed,  were  swept  overboard  by  the  falling  masts. 
The  Constitution  had  only  seven  killed,  and  seven 
wounded. 

The  boats  were  immediately  employed  in  bring- 
ing the  wounded  and  prisoners  on  board  the  Constitu- 
tion. About  two,  A;  M.  a  sail  was  discovered  off  the 
larboard  beam  standing  to  the  south.  The  ship  was 
instantly  cleared  for  action.  At  three,  the  vessel 
stood  away.  At  day-break,  information  was  received 
from  the  lieutenant  on  board  the  prize,  that  the  ship 
was  in  a  sinking  condition,  and  had  four  feet  water 
in  the  hold.  As  soon  as  all  her  crew  were  removed 
from  on  board  of  her,  she  was  set  on  fire,  and  blew 
up  a  quarter  past  three. 

Captain  Hull,  in  his  letter  to  the  secretary  of  the 
navy,  says : — "  that,  from  the  smallest  boy  in  the 
ship,  to  the  oldest  seaman,  not  a  look  of  fear  was 
seen.  They  all  went  into  action  giving  three  cheers, 
and  requesting  to  be  laid  along-side  the  enemy.'" 

In  the  heat  of  the  engagement,  one  of  the  crew 
of  the  Constitution,  perceiving  the  flag  at  the  fore- 
top-mast  head  had  been  shot  away,  went  up  with  it, 
and  lashed  it  so  securely,  as  to  render  it  impossible  to 
shoot  it  away,  unless  the  mast  went  with  it. 

The  generosity  of  captain  Hull  and  his  crew  was 

equal  to  their  bravery.     Captain  Dacres,  in  his  official 

letter,  confesses  their  conduct  to  have  been  "  that  of 

a  brave  enemy  ;  the  greatest  care  being  taken  to  pre- 

*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.   175 — 176. 


56 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  57 

Vent  the  men  losing  the  slightest  article,  and  the 
greatest  attention  being  paid  to  the  wounded." 

The  Constitution  arrived  in  Boston  harbour  the 
30th  day  of  August.  When  captain  Hull  landed, 
he  was  received  with  every  demonstration  of  affec- 
tion and  respect.  The  Washington  Artillery,  posted 
on  the  wharf,  welcomed  him  with  a  federal  salute, 
which  was  returned  from  the  Constitution.  An  im- 
mense assemblage  of  citizens  made  the  air  ring  with 
loud  and  unanimous  huzzas,  which  were  repeated 
on  his  passage  up  State  Street  to  the  Exchange  Cof- 
fee House.  The  street  was  beautifully  decorated 
with  American  flags. 

A  splendid  entertainment  was  given  to  captain 
Hull  and  his  officers  by  the  citizens  of  Boston,  at 
which  commodore  Rodgers  and  the  officers  of  his 
squadron  were  invited.  The  citizens  of  Philadel- 
phia subscribed  for  two  elegant  pieces  of  plate — one 
to  be  presented  to  captain  Hull,  and  the  other  to 
Mr.  Charles  Morris,  his  first  lieutenant.  The  legis- 
lature of  New  York,  the  council  of  the  cities  of  Al- 
bany and  Savannah,  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  the  House  of  Representatives  of  Massachusetts , 
and  other  public  bodies,  voted  their  thanks  to  captain 
Hull,  his  officers  and  crew.  The  order  of  Cin^inna  - 
ti  admitted  him  as  an  honourary  member.  Congress 
voted  fifty  thousand  dollars  as  an  indemnification  to 
the  captain,  officers,  and  crew,  for  the  loss  sustained 
by  the  destruction  of  the  Guerriere. 


58  WAVAL     BATTLES. 


CAPT.   PORTER— FIRST  CRUISE  OF  THE  ESSEX. 

THE  Essex,  commanded  by  captain  David  Porter, 
sailed  from  New  York  the  third  of  July,  1812,  and 
shortly  after  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  transports,  under 
convoy  of  a  frigate  and  two  bomb-ketches,  from  Ja- 
maica for  Halifax,  with  troops.  The  Essex  kept  at 
a  distance  until  night,  when  she  cut  off  a  brig  with 
one  hundred  and  fifty  soldiers  on  board,  which  was 
ransomed  for  a  bill  of  exchange  on  London  for  four- 
teen thousand  dollars.  The  men  were  disarmed, 
and  an  exchange  receipt  taken  for  them,  and  they 
severally  took  an  oath  not  to  serve  until  exchanged. 

The  following  day  captain  Porter  captured  the 
brig  Lamprey  from  Jamaica,  by  which  he  received 
intelligence  that  the  Thetis  frigate,  with  specie  and 
a  large  convoy  was  about  sailing  for  England.  Every 
exertion  was  made  to  get  off  St.  Augustine  in  time 
to  fall  in  with  them,  but  without  effect,  as  fresh  gales 
prevailed  from  the  southwest,  which  increased  till  the 
19th  of  July,  when,  by  the  violence  of  the  tempest, 
they  were  compelled  to  run  before  the  wind. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  August,  the  British  sloop  of 
war  Aleit,  of  twenty  guns,  ran  down  on  the  weath- 
er quarter  of  the  Essex.  Her  crew  gave  three  cheers, 
and  immediately  commenced  an  engagement.  But 
so  spirited  and  well  directed  a  fire  was  kept  up  from 
the  Essex,  that  in  eight  minutes  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action,  she  forced  the  Alert  to  strike 


NAVAL  BATTLES, 


60  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

her  colours.  She  had  seven  feet  water  in  her  hold. 
She  was  much  cut  to  pieces,  and  had  three  men 
wounded.  The  Essex  did  not  receive  the  slightest 
injury. 

Captain  Porter,  being  much  embarrassed  by  the 
number  of  his  prisoners,  amounting  to  about  five 
hundred,  concluded  an  arrangement  with  the  captain 
of  the  Alert  for  sending  them  to  a  British  port,  in 
the  Alert,  as  a  cartel. 

The  Alert,  on  her  return  to  the  United  States, 
was  fitted  out  as  a  government  vessel. 

On  the  30th  of  August,  the  Essex  being  in  lati- 
tude 36  N.  longitude  62  w.  a  British  frigate  was  dis- 
covered standing  towards  her,  under  a  press  of  sail. 
Captain  Porter  stood  for  her  under  easy  sail,  with 
his  ship  prepared  for  action;  and  apprehensive  that 
she  might  not  find  the  Essex  during  the  night,  he 
hoisted  a  light.  At  nine  the  British  vessel  made  a 
signal.  It  consisted  of  two  flashes  and  a  blue  light. 
She  was  then  apparently  about  four  miles  distant. 
Captain  Porter  stood  for  the  point  where  she  was 
seen,  until  midnight,  when  perceiving  nothing  of  her 
he  concluded  it  would  be  best  to  heave-to  for  her, 
until  morning,  concluding  she  had  done  the  same. 
But  to  his  great  surprise,  and  the  mortification  off 
his  officers  and  crew,  she  was  no  longer  in  sight. 
Captain  Porter,  believed  it  to  be  not  unlikely,  that 
this  vessel,  was  the  Acasta,  of  fifty  guns,  sent  out, 
accompanied  by  the  Ring  Dove,  of  twenty-two,  to 
cruise  for  the  Essex. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  61 

On  the  4th  of  September,  the  Essex  being  off  the 
tail  of  St.  George's  Bank,  two  ships  of  war  were 
discovered  to  the  southward,  and  a  brig  to  the  north- 
ward. The  brig  was  in  chase  of  an  American  mer- 
chant ship.  Captain  Porter  immediately  chased  the 
brig,  which  attempted  to  pass,  and  join  the  rest  of 
the  squadron.  This  he  prevented,  and  compelled 
her  to  stand  to  the  northward.  He  continued  in 
chase  of  her,  until  abreast  of  the  American  ship, 
when  the  wind  becoming  light,  she  escaped  by  means 
of  her  sweeps.  On  shewing  American  colours,  sev- 
eral signal  guns  were  fired  by  the  ships  to  the 
southward.  All  sail  was  made  by  them  in  chase. 
At  four  P.  M.  they  had  gained  the  wake  of  the  Es- 
sex, and  were  coming  up  with  her  very  fast.  Cal- 
culating on  making  his  escape  by  some  manoeuvre 
during  the  night,  he  fired  a  gun  to  windward.  The 
two  ships  still  continued  to  gain  on  the  Essex.  The 
largest  was  considerably  to  windward  of  the  other, 
and  about  five  miles  astern  of  the  Essex.  Captain 
Porter  determined  to  heave  about  as  soon  as  it  grew 
dark,  and,  in  case  he  should  not  be  able  to  pass  her, 
he  determined  to  fire  a  broadside  into  her,  and  lay 
her  on  board.  The  crew,  as  soon  as  the  plan  was 
proposed  to  them,  gave  three  cheers,  and  were  in 
high  spirits.  Twenty  minutes  after  seven,  the  Essex 
hove  about,  and  stood  s.  E.  by  s.  until  thirty  minutes 
after  eight,  when  she  bore  away  s.  w.  without  see- 
ing any  thing  more  of  them.  This  was  the  more 
surprising,  as  a  pistol  was  fired  on  board  the  Essex 
when  nearest  to  them. 


62  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

The  Essex  arrived  safe   in  the   Delaware  a  few 
days  after. 


WASP  AND  FROLIC. 

OF  all  the  victories  achieved  by  single  vessels, 
perhaps  the  most  brilliant,  and  which  will  probably 
long  stand  on  record  without  a  parallel,  is  that  of 
the  Wasp,  commanded  by  captain  Jacob  Jones,  over 
the  sloop  of  war  Frolic. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  captain  Jones  left  the 
Delaware  bay  in  the  Wasp,  on  a  cruise.  On  the 
16th,  she  experienced  a  heavy  gale,  in  which  she  lost 
her  jib-boom  and  two  men.  On  the  evening  of  the 
next  day,  about  eleven  o'clock,  being  in  the  track 
of  vessels  passing  from  Bermuda  to  Halifax,  she 
found  herself  near  five  strange  sail,  steering  east- 
ward. Some  of  them  appearing  to  be  ships  of 
war,  it  was  thought  better  to  get  farther  from  them. 
The  Wasp,  therefore,  hauled  her  wind,  and  having 
reached  a  few  miles  to  windward,  so  as  to  escape  or 
'fight,  as  occasion  might  require,  followed  the  strange 
sail  through  the  night.  At  daybreak,  on  Sunday » 
morning,  captain  Jones  found  that  they  were  six 
large  merchant  ships  under  convoy  of  a  sloop  of 
war,  from  Honduras  to  England.  Four  of  the 
ships  were  large  and  well  maimed,  mounting  from 
sixteen  to  eighteen  guns,  and  having  from  forty  to 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  65 

fifty  men  each.  Captain  Jones,  however,  deter- 
mined to  attack  them.  The  convoy  made  their 
escape  under  a  press  of  sail.  The  sloop  of  war 
alone  remained,  which  proved  to  be  the  Frolic, 
captain  Whinyates,  mounting  twenty-two  guns,  and 
having  a  crew  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men. 
There  was  a  heavy  swell  in  the  sea,  and  the  weather 
was  boisterous.  The  top-gallant  yards  of  the  Wasp 
were  taken  down,  her  top-sails  were  close  reefed, 
and  she  was  prepared  for  action-. 

About  eleven  o'clock  the  Frolic  showed  Spanish 
colours.  The  Wasp  immediately  displayed  the 
American  ensign  and  pendant ;  and  at  thirty-two 
minutes  past  eleven,  came  down  to  wrindward  on  the 
larboard  side  of  the  Frolic.  When  within  about 
sixty  yards  she  hailed.  The  Frolic  then  hauled  down 
her  Spanish  colours  ;  hoisted  the  British  ensign  ;  and 
opened  a  fire  of  cannon  and  musketry.  This  was 
instantly  returned  by  the  Wasp ;  and,  nearing  the 
enemy,  the  action  became  close  and  spirited. 
About  four  or  five  minutes  after  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action,  the  main-top-mast  of  the 
Wasp  was  shot  away,  and,  having  fallen,  with  the 
main-top-sail  yard,  across  the  larboard,  fore,  and  fore- 
top-sail  braces,  rendered  her  head  yards  unmanage- 
able during  the  remainder  of  the  engagement.  In 
two  or  three  minutes  more,  her  gaff  and  mizzen-top- 
gallant-sail  were  shot  away.  She  however  kept  up 
a  close  and  constant  fire.  The  sea  was  so  rough, 
that  the  muzzles  of  the  Wasp's  guns  were  frequent- 
ly under  water.  The  Americans  fired  as  the  side  of 


64  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

their  ship  was  going  down.  Their  shot  of  course, 
either  struck  the  Frolic's  deck,  or  below  it.  The 
English  fired  as  their  vessel  rose.  Their  balls  conse- 
quently only  struck  the  rigging,  or  were  ineffectual. 
The  Wasp,  having  now  shot  ahead  of  the  Frolic, 
poured  a  broadside  into  her,  which  completely  raked 
her.  She  then  took  a  position  on  the  Frolic's  lar- 
board bow.  A  most  spirited  fire  was  now  kept  up 
from  the  Wasp,  which  produced  great  effect.  The 
fire  of  the  Frolic  had  slackened  so  much,  that  cap- 
tain Jones  gave  up  his  intention  of  boarding  her, 
lest  both  vessels  might  be  endangered  by  the  rough- 
ness of  the  sea.  But,  in  the  course  of  a  few  min- 
utes more,  not  a  brace  of  the  Wasp  was  left.  All 
had  been  shot  away.  Her  rigging  was  so  much  torn 
to  pieces,  that  captain  Jones  was  afraid,  that  her 
masts,  being  unsupported,  would  go  by  the  board  ; 
and  the  Frolic  thereby  be  enabled  to  escape.  He 
therefore  resolved  to  board,  and  at  once  decide  the 
contest.  With  this  intention,  he  wore  ship,  and  ran 
down  upon  the  enemy.  The  vessels  struck  each 
other.  The  Wasp's  side  rubbed  along  the  Frolic's 
bow.  The  jib-boom  of  the  latter  entered  between 
the  main  and  mizzen  rigging  of  the  Wasp,  directly 
over  the  heads  of  captain  Jones  and  his  first  lieuten- 
ant, Biddle,  who  were  then  standing  together  near 
the  capstan.  The  Frolic  now  lay  in  so  good  a  po- 
sition for  being  raked,  that  it  was  resolved  not  to 
board  until  another  broadside  had  been  poured  into 
her.  So  near  were  the  two  vessels,  that  while  the 
men  were  loading  the  guns,  the  rammers  of  the 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  65 

Wasp  were  pushed  against  the  Frolic's  sides ;  and 
two  of  her  guns  went  through  the  bow  ports  of  the 
Frolic,  and  swept  the  whole  length  of  her  deck. 
About  this  time,  Jack  Lang,  a  brave  and  intrepid 
seaman,  of  the  Wasp,  and  who  had  once  been  im- 
pressed on  board  a  man  of  war,  jumped  on  a  gun 
with  his  cutlass,  and  was  springing  on  board  the 
Frolic ;  when  Captain  Jones,  desiring  to  fire  again 
before  boarding,  called  him  down.  But,  probably 
urged  on  by  his  impetuosity,  he  did  not  hear  the 
command  of  his  captain,  and  was  immediately  on 
the  bowsprit  of  the  Frolic.  Lieutenant  Biddle,  per- 
ceiving the  ardour  and  enthusiasm  of  the  Wasp's 
crew,  mounted  on  the  hammock-cloth,  to  board. 
The  crew  immediately  followed.  But  the  lieuten- 
ant's feet  being  entangled  in  the  rigging  of  the 
Frolic's  bowsprit,  and  midshipman  Baker,  in  his  ar- 
dour to  board,  laying  hold  of  his  coat,  he  fell  back 
on  the  Wasp's  deck.  He  directly  sprang  up,  and, 
as  the  next  swell  of  the  sea  brought  the  Frolic  near- 
er, he  got  on  her  bowsprit,  where  Lang  and  another 
seaman  were  already.  He  passed  them  on  the  fore- 
castle ;  and  was  much  surprised  at  not  seeing  a 
single  man  alive  on  the  Frolic's  deck,  except  the  sea- 
man at  the  wheel,  and  three  officers.  The  deck  was 
slippery  with  blood,  and  strewed  with  dead  bodies. 
As  he  went  forward,  the  captain  of  the  Frolic,  and 
two  other  officers,  who  were  standing  on  the  quarter- 
deck, threw  down  their  swords,  and  made  an  inclina- 
tion of  their  bodies,  as  a  sign  of  submission.  The 

colours  of  the  Frolic  were  still  flying.     None  of  her 
9 


66  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

seaman,  probably,  dared  to  go  into  the  rigging,  to 
strike  them,  for  fear  of  the  musketry  of  the  Wasp. 
Lieutenant  Biddle  himself  immediately  jumped  into 
the  rigging,  and  hauled  down  the  British  ensign. 
Possession  was  taken  of  the  Frolic  forty-three  min- 
utes after  the  commencement  of  the  action.  She 
presented  a  most  shocking  spectacle.  Her  birth-deck 
was  crowded  with  dead,  wounded,  and  dying.  Not 
above  twenty  of  her  crew  escaped  unhurt.  Captain 
Jones  immediately  sent  his  surgeon's  mate  on  board. 
All  the  blankets  of  the  Frolic  were  brought  from 
her  slop-room  for  the  accommodation  of  the  wound- 
ed. To  increase  the  confusion,  both  the  Frolic's 
masts  fell,  soon  after  taking  possession  of  her,  and 
covered  the  dead  and  every  thing  on  deck. 

In  this  action,  the  crews  of  the  vessels  were  about 
equal.  The  British  vessel  mounted  four  guns  more 
than  the  American.  The  destruction  on  board  of 
the  Frolic  could  not  be  exactly  determined ;  buty 
from  the  observations  of  the  American  officers,  and 
the  declarations  of  the  English,  there  could  not  have 
been  less  than  thirty  killed,  and  about  fifty  wounded. 
The  Wasp  had  only  five  men  killed,  and  five  wound- 
ed. 

Lieutenant  Biddle  was  placed  on  board  the  Frolic. 
A  suspicious  sail  being  perceived  to  windward,  Cap- 
tain Jones  ordered  him  to  proceed  to  Charleston, 
or  any  other  southern  port  in  the  United  States. 
The  Wasp  intended  to  continue  her  cruise.  The 
ships  then  parted.  The  suspicious  sail  bore  down 
very  fast.  It  was  at  first  supposed  she  was  one  of 


NAVAL  BATTLES.  67 

the  convoy.  The  Wasp  was  immediately  cleared 
for  action.  As  she  approached,  she  proved  to  be  a 
seventy-four,  the  Poictiers,  captain  Beresford.  She 
fired  a  shot  over  the  Frolic  ;  and,  having  passed  herj 
overtook  the  Wasp,  the  disabled  state  of  whose  rig- 
ging prevented  her  from  escaping.  After  she  waa 
taken  possession  of,  the  Poictiers  returned  to  secure 
the  Frolic.  Both  vessels  were  carried  into  Ber- 
muda. 

This  action  completely  demonstrated  the  superior 
skill  and  spirit  of  the  American  naval  officers  and 
seamen.  The  superiority  of  force  certainly  was  on 
the  side  of  the  British. 

On  the  return  of  captain  Jones  to  the  United 
States,  his  gallant  conduct  was  not  passed  unnoticed 
by  his  grateful  countrymen.  The  Congress  of  the 
United  States  voted  him  and  his  crew  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars,  in  consideration  of  the  loss  they 
sustained  by  the  recapture  of  the  Frolic,  also  their 
thanks.  They  ordered  a  gold  medal  to  be  presented 
to  the  captain,  and  a  silver  one  to  each  of  his  officers. 

This  gallant  exploit  deservedly  secured  to  cap- 
tain Jones  and  his  brave  crew,  the  acknowledgments 
of  their  grateful  countrymen.  The  narrow  limits 
of  our  work,  forbid  our  entering  into  detail.  We 
shall  therefore  merely  state  that  pieces  of  plate,  and 
swords  were  ordered  for  captain  Jones,  and  thanks 
voted  to  him  and  his  crew,  by  the  legislature  of  Penn- 
sylvania— the  legislature  of  the  state  of  Delaware — 
the  legislature  of  New  York — the  house  of  repre- 


68  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

sentatives  of  Massachusetts— the  citizens  of  Phila- 
delphia,— the  common  council  of  New  York,  &c. 

The  order  of  Cincinnati  at  New  York  admitted 
captain  Jones  into  the  Society  as  an  honourary  mem- 
ber. 

Captain  Jones,  in  consideration  of  his  merit,  was 
appointed  to  command  the  Macedonian,  a  thirty-eight 
gun  frigate,  just  captured  from  the  British. 

Lieutenant  Biddle  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
master  commandant.* 


-f  •*'     '.. 
SECOND  CRUISE  OF  COMMODORE  RODGERS. 

ON  the  8th  of  October,  commodore  Rodgers  sail- 
ed again  from  Boston,  in  the  frigate  President, 
accompanied  by  the  United  States,  Congress,  and 
Argus.  On  the  13th,  the  United  States  and  Ar- 
gus parted  from  the  others  in  a  gale  of  wind.  On 
the  15th,  the  President  and  Congress  captured 
the  British  packet  Swallow,  having  on^board  specie 
amounting  to  nearly  two  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
On  the  31st  they  captured  a  South  Sea  ship,  loaded 
with  oil,  one  of  two  ships  under  convoy  of  the  Gala- 
tea frigate,  to  which  they  gave  chase,  but  lost  her  in 
a  fog.  During  the  remainder  of  the  cruise,  they  saw  no 
other  British  Vessel  except  the  frigate  Nymph,  which 
*Clark's  Naval  Histnrv  vol  i  n.  183 — 186. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  69 

escaped  in  the  night.  On  the  31st  of  December  they 
arrived  at  Boston,  having  been  as  far  to  the  east  as 
longitude  22,  and  to  the  south  as  far  as  latitude  17 
north.  From  longitude  22,  they  ran  down  the  trade 
wind  to  longitude  50,  and  passed  to  the  north,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  Bermuda.  In  this 
cruise,  the  space  passed  over  was  not  less  than  eight 
thousand  miles ;  and  though  the  President  and  Con- 
gress returned  richly  laden,  their  commanders  could 
not  but  regret  that  no  opportunity  was  afforded  to 
try  the  spirit  and  discipline  of  their  officers  and 
crews.  The  cash  taken  from  the  Swallow  was  car- 
ried from  the  navy  yard  to  one  of  the  banks,  in  sev- 
eral waggons,  escorted  by  the  crews  of  the  frigates 
and  a  detachment  of  marines,  with  drums  beating  and 
colours  flying,  amidst  the  huzzas  of  a  large  con- 
course of  spectators.  The  specie  and  gold  dust  de- 
posited in  the  bank  were  said  to  be  worth  nearly  three 
hundred  thousand  dollars. 


THE  ARGUS. 

AFTER  parting  from  the  squadron,  as  above  noted, 
the  Argus,  commanded  by  captain  Sinclair,  proceed- 
ed to  the  coast  of  Brazil,  sailed  along  the  north 
coast,  from  cape  St.  Roque  to  Surinam,  thence  to 
the  windward  of  the  West  Indies,  and  in  every  di- 


70  NAVAL   BATTLES! 

rection  between  the  Bermudas,  Halifax,  and  the  con- 
tinent. After  a  cruise  of  ninety-six  days,  she  arriv- 
ed at  New  York,  having  made  five  prizes,  valued  at 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  She  fell  in  with  a 
British  squadron  of  six  sail,  two  of  which  were  of 
the  line,  and  one  of  them  a  remarkably  fast  sailer. 
The  chase  was  continued  for  three  days  and  nights, 
and  under  various  circumstances,  but,  by  unremitted 
exertions,  the  Argus  eluded  the  pursuit.  Pressed  on 
all  sides  by  the  number  of  the  enemy,  and  often  baffled 
by  the  unsettled  state  of  the  weather,  she  was  at  one 
time  within  gunshot  of  a  seventy-four,  and  at  an- 
other nearly  surrounded.  While  in  this  perilous  sit- 
uation, she  actually  captured  and  manned  one  of  her 
prizes. 


UNITED  STATES  AND  MACEDONIAN. 

.  ON  the  25th  of  October,  after  being  separated 
from  the  squadron,  the  United  States,  commanded 
by  commodore  Decatur,  fell  in  with  and  captured, 
off  the  Western  Isles,  after  an  action  of  an  hour  and  a 
half,  the  British  frigate  Macedonian,  captain  Garden, 
mounting  forty-nine  guns,  and  carrying  three  hundred 
and  six  men.  The  Macedonian  being  to  windward, 
had  the  advantage  of  choosing  her  distance,  which 
was  so  great,  that  for  the  first  half  hour,  the  United 


NAVAL  RATTLES.  71 

States  could  not  use  her  carronades  ;  and  at  no  time 
were  they  within  musket  or  grape  shot.  To  this 
circumstance,  and  a  heavy  swell  of  the  sea,  was  as- 
cribed the  extreme  length  of  the  action.  In  this 
contest  the  superiority  of  the  American  gunnery  was 
strikingly  obvious.  The  Macedonian  had  one  hun- 
dred and  six  men  killed  and  wounded.  She  was  total- 
ly dismasted,  and  had  nearly  one  hundred  shot  holes  in 
her  hull.  On  board  the  United  States  there  were" 
only  five  killed  and  seven  wounded  ;  and  so  little  in- 
jury was  done  to  the  ship,  that,  in  five  minutes  after 
the  action,  she  was  fully  prepared  for  another. 
Shortly  after  the  action  commenced,  such  a  torrent  of 
fire  proceeded  from  the  United  States,  that  the  crew 
of  the  Macedonian  supposed  she  was  actually  on  fire, 
and  gave  three  cheers. 

The  Macedonian  was  a  frigate  of  the  largest  class, 
only  two  years  old,  four  months  out  of  dock,  and  re- 
puted one  of  the  fastest  sailers  in  the  British  service. 

All  the  private  property  of  the  officers  and  crew 
of  the  Macedonian  was  given  up  to  them  ;  that 
claimed  by  captain  Garden,  amounted  to  eight  hun- 
dred dollars,  and  was  paid  for  by  the  commodore. 

An  instance  of  the  generosity,  which  is  so  predom- 
inant in  the  breasts  of  American  tars,  must  not  be 

omitted.     John  Archibald,  one  of  the  crew  of  the 

•. 

United  States,  received  a  mortal  wound,  of  which  he 
soon  after  died.  He  left  three  children  to  the  mer- 
cy of  the  world  and  a  profligate  mother,  who  had 
deserted  them.  When  the  father  of  Archibald  went 
on  board  the  frigate,  to  claim  the  wages  and  proper- 


n 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  73 

ty  of  his  son,  an  inquiry  was  made  into  the  circum- 
stances of  his  family.  A  plan  was  immediately 
agreed  upon  by  the  seamen  for  the  relief. of  the  or- 
phans. Two  dollars  was  subscribed  by  each  of  them  ; 
a  sum  of  eight  hundred  dollars  was  made  up,  and 
placed  in  the  hands  of  suitable  trustees,  for  the  main- 
tenance and  education  of  his  children. 

Commodore  Decatur  arrived  at  New  London 
with  his  prize  on  the  4th  of  December.  He  receiv- 
ed from  all  quarters  the  congratulations  of  his  coun- 
trymen. A  gold  medal  was  presented  to  him  by 
Congress,  in  testimony  of  their  high  sense  of  his  gal- 
lantry, good  conduct  and  services.  The  legislature 
of  Pensylvania  voted  him  their  thanks,  and  an  ele- 
gant sword  ;  and  various  other  testimonials  of  pub- 
lic regard  were  bestowed  upon  him  and  his  crew. 

The  news  of  this  brilliant  victory  was  received  at 
Washington  on  the  evening  of  the  8th  of  Decem- 
ber. It  happened,  that  on  that  evening,  a  ball  was 
given  in  compliment  to  the  officers  and  navy  general- 
ly, and  particularly  to  captain  Stewart,  in  acknowl- 
edgment of  his  politeness  to  the  citizens  of  Wash- 
ington on  a  recent  occasion.  A  large  and  respecta- 
ble company  was  assembled,  and  the  scene  was 
graced  by  the  presence  of  all  the  beauty  and  fashion 
of  the  city.  The  room  in  which  the  company  were 
assembled  had  been  decorated  with  the  trophies  of 
naval  victory.  The  colours  of  the  Guerriere  and  Alert, 
displayed  on  the  walls,  roused  the  feeling  of  patriot- 
ism, and  revived  in  the  mind  the  recollection  of  the 

bravery  which  had  won  them.     At  this  tinje  lieuten- 
10 


74  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

ant  Hamilton  arrived  with  the  colours  of  the  Mace- 
donian, and  despatches  from  commodore  Decatur. 
He  was  received  with  loud  acclamations,  and  escort- 
ed to  the  festive  hall ;  and  the  colours  of  the  Mac- 
edonian were  borne  into  the  room  by  captains  Hull 
and  Stewart,  and  deposited  with  those  of  the  Guer- 
riere  and  Alert. 


CONSTITUTION  AND  JAVA. 

ON  the  arrival  of  the  Constitution  in  Boston,  after 
the  capture  of  the  Guerriere,  captain  Hull  received 
permission  to  remain  on  shore  to  attend  to  his  private 
affairs,  and  commodore  Bainbridge  was  appointed  to 
command  in  his  room.  After  undergoing  the  neces- 
sary repairs,  she  sailed  on  a  cruise  along  the  coast  of 
South  America,  accompanied  by  the  Hornet  sloop  of 
war,  commanded  by  captain  Lawrence.  In  running 
down  the  coast  of  the  Brazils,  they  found  the  Bonne 
Citoyenne,  a  British  ship  of  war,  loaded  with  specie 
lying  in  the  port  of  St.  Salvador.  Commodore 
Bainbridge  here  separated  from  captain  Lawrence, 
leaving  him  to  blockade  the  Bonne  Citoyenne. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  of  December,  the  Constitu- 
tion, being  in  13  degrees  south  latitude,  and  38  west 
longitude,  about  ten  leagues  from  the  coast  of  Brazil, 
at  nine  A.  M.  two  strange  vessels  were  discovered  on 
her  weather  bow.  At  ten  they  were  discovered  to 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  75 

be  ships.  One  of  them  stood  in  for  the  land  ;  the  other 
stood  off  shore  towards  the  Constitution.  At  ten, 
commodore  Bainbridge  tacked  ship  to  the  northward 
and  westward,  and  stood  for  the  sail  approaching 
him.  At  eleven  A.  M.  he  tacked  to  the  southward 
and  eastward,  hauled  up  the  mainsail,  and  took  in 
the  royals.  At  thirty  minutes  past  eleven,  made  a 
private  signal  for  the  day,  which  was  not  answered  ; 
and  then  set  mainsail  and  royals,  to  draw  the  strange 
vessel  off  from  the  neutral  coast,  and  separate  her 
from  her  company. 

At  twelve,  the  American  ensign  and  pendant  were 
hoisted  on  board  the  Constitution.  At  fifteen  min- 
utes past  twelve,  the  strange  vessel  hoisted  an  Eng- 
lish ensign,  and  displayed  a  signal  at  her  mainmast. 

At  a  quarter  past  one,  the  ship  in  sight  proving  to 
be  an  English  frigate,  and  being  sufficiently  distant 
from  land,  commodore  Bainbridge  ordered  the  main- 
sails and  royals  to  be  taken  in,  to  tack  ship  and  stand 
for  the  enemy ;  who  soon  bore  down  with  an  intention 
of  raking  the  Constitution,   which  she  avoided  by 
wearing.     At  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  the  British  ship  was 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  Constitution,  and  to  wind- 
ward.    She  now  hauled  down  her  colours,  except  an 
union  jack  at  the  mizzen-mast  head.     This  induced 
commodore   Bainbridge  to  order  a  gun  to  be  fired 
ahead  of  her,  to  make  her  show  her  colours.     It  was 
succeeded  by  the  whole  of  the  Constitution's  broad- 
side.    On  this,  the  enemy  immediately  hoisted  co- 
lours, and  returned  the  fire.     A  general  action  now 
commenced  with  round  and  grape  shot.     The  British 


76  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

frigate  kept  at  a  much  greater  distance  than  the  com- 
modore wished.  He,  however,  could  not  bring  her  to 
closer  action,  without  exposing  his  vessel  to  be  sev- 
eral times  raked.  Both  vessels  for  some  time  man- 
osuvred  to  obtain  a  position  that  would  enable  them 
to  rake,  or  avoid  being  raked.  In  the  early  part  of 
the  engagement  the  wheel  of  the  Constitution  was 
shot  away.  Commodore  Bainbridge  determined  to 
close  with  the  British  vessel,  notwithstanding,  in  so 
doing,  he  should  expose  his  ship  to  be  several  times 
raked.  He  ordered  the  fore  and  mainsails  to  be  set, 
and  luffed  up  close  to  the  enemy,  in  such  a  manner 
that  his  jib-boom  got  foul  of  the  Constitution's 
mizzen  rigging.  About  three  o'clock,  the  head  of 
the  British  vessel's  bowsprit  and  jib-boom,  were  shot 
away ;  and,  in  the  space  of  an  hour,  her  foremast 
was  shot  away  by  the  board,  her  main-top-mast  just 
above  the  cap,  her  gaff  and  spanker-boom,  and  her 
mainmast  nearly  by  the  board. 

About  four  o'clock,  the  fire  of  the  British  vessel 
being  completely  silenced,  and  her  colours  in  the 
main  rigging  being  down,  she  was  supposed  to  have 
struck.  The  courses  of  the  Constitution  were  now 
hauled  on  board,  to  shoot  ahead,  in  order  to  repair 
her  rigging,  which  was  very  much  cut.  The  Brit- 
ish vessel  was  left  a  complete  wreck.  Her  flag 
was  soon  after  discovered  to  be  still  flying.  The 
Constitution,  however,  hove  to,  to  repair  some  of 
her  damages.  About  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after, 
the  mainmast  of  the  British  vessel  went  by  the 
board.  About  three  quarters  of  an  hour  after  four, 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


77 


78  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

the  Constitution  wore,  and  stood  for  the  British  ves- 
sel ;  and  got  close  to  her  athwart  her  bows,  in  a 
very  effectual  position  for  raking,  when  she  prudent- 
ly struck  her  flag.  Had  she  suffered  the  broadside 
to  have  raked  her,  her  additional  loss  would  have 
been  extremely  great ;  for  .she  lay  quite  an  unman- 
ageable wreck  upon  the  water. 

After  the  British  frigate  struck,  the  Constitution 
wore  and  reefed  topsails.  One  of  the  only  two  re- 
maining boats  out  of  eight,  was  then  hoisted  out,  and 
lieutenant  Parker,  of  ^he  Constitution,  was  sent  to 
take  possession  of  the  frigate.  She  proved  to  be 
his  Britannick  majesty's  frigate  Java,  rating  thirty- 
eight,  but  carrying  forty-nine  guns.  She  was  man- 
ned by  upwards  of  four  hundred  men  ;  and  was 
commanded  by  captain  Lambert,  a  very  distinguish- 
ed naval  officer.  He  was  mortally  wounded.  The 
action  continued,  from  the  time  the  firing  commenc- 
ed till  the  time  it  ceased,  one  hour  and  fifty-five 
minutes. 

The  Constitution  had  nine  men  killed,  and  twen- 
ty-five wounded.  The  Java  had  sixty  killed,  and 
one  hundred  and  one  (certainly)  wounded — but  by 
a  letter  written  on  board  the  Constitution,  by  one  of 
the  officers  of  the  Java,  and  accidentally  found,  it  is 
evident  her  loss  must  have  been  much  greater.  He 
states  it  to  have  been  sixty  killed,  and  one  hundred 
and  seventy  wounded. 

The  Java  had  her  own  full  complement  of  men, 
and  upwards  of  one  hundred  supernumeraries,  for 
British  ships  in  the  East  Indies.  Her  force  in  num- 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  79 

ber  of  men,  at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  was 
probably  much  greater  than  the  officers  of  the  Con- 
stitution were  enabled  to  ascertain.  Her  officers 
were  extremely  cautious  in  discovering  the  number 
of  her  crew.  By  her  quarter  bill  she  had  one  man 
more,  stationed  at  each  gun,  than  the  Constitution. " 
The  Java  was  an  important  ship.  She  was  fitted 
out  in  the  most  complete  manner,  to  carry  lieuten- 
ant general  Hislop  and  staff  to  Bombay,  of  which 
place  he  had  been  appointed  governour,  and  several 
naval  officers  for  different  vessels  in  the  East  Indies. 
She  had  despatches  for  St.  Helena,  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  and  for  every  British  establishment  in  the  In- 
dian and  Chinese  seas.  She  had  copper  on  board  for 
a  seventy-four,  and  for  two  brigs,  building  at  Bom- 
bay ;  and  probably  a  number  of  other  valuable  arti- 
cles. 

The  great  distance  from  the  United  States,  and 
the  disabled  state  of  the  Java,  forbade  every  idea  of 
attempting  to  bring  her  to  the  United  States.  No 
alternative  was  therefore  left,  but  to  burn  her,  which 
was  done,  after  the  prisoners  and  their  baggage  were 
removed  to  the  Constitution.  They  were  all  landed 
at  St.  Salvador,  and  paroled.  The  commander  of 
the  Java,  captain  Lambert,  died  soon  after  he  was 
put  on  shore.  The  British  officers  paroled  were  a 
lieutenant-general,  a  major,  and  a  captain,  of  land 
service;  in  the  naval  service,  a  post  captain,  a  mas- 
ter and  commander,  five  lieutenants,  three  lieuten- 
ants of  marines,  a  surgeon,  two  assistant  surgeons,  a 
purser,  fifteen  midshipmen,  a  gunner,  a  boatswain,  a 


80  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

master,  a  carpenter,  and  two  captain's  clerks  ;  like- 
wise, three  hundred  and  twenty-three  petty  officers, 
seamen,  and  marines — making  all  together  three 
hundred  and  fifty-one  men;  besides  nine  Portuguese 
seamen,  liberated,  and  eight  passengers,  private 
characters,  who  were  permitted  to  land  with  out  re- 
straint. 

Lieutenant  Aylwin,  of  the  Constitution,  was  se- 
verely wounded  during  the  action.  When  the  board- 
ers were  called  to  repel  boarders,  he  mounted  the 
quarter-deck  hammock  cloths,  and,  in  the  act  of  fir- 
ing his  pistol  at  the  enemy,  he  received  a  ball  through 
his  shoulder.  Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  his 
wound,  he  contmWd  at  his  post  until  the  enemy 
struck.  A  few  days  afterwards,  when  an  engage- 
ment was  expected  with  a  ship,  which  afterwards 
proved  to  be  the  Hornet,  he  left  his  bed,  and  repair- 
ed to  quarters,  though  labouring  under  a  consider- 
able debility,  and  under  the  most  excruciating  pain. 
He  died  on  the  28th  of  January,  at  sea. 

Commodore  Bainbridge  was  received  by  his  coun- 
trymen on  his  return  to  the  United  States,  with  every 
demonstration  of  joy  and  esteem  that  his  gallant  ex- 
ploit merited. 

The  Congress  of  the  United  States  voted  fifty- 
thousand  dollars,  and  their  thanks,  to  commodore 
Bainbridge,  his  officers  and  crew.  They  likewise 
ordered  a  gold  medal  to  be  presented  to  commodore 
Bainbridge,  and  silver  ones  to  each  of  his  officers,  in 
token  of  their  esteem. 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  81 

The  legislatures  of  Massachusetts  and  New  York, 
&c.  voted  their  thanks  to  commodore  Bainbridge,  his 
officers,  and  crew.* 


HORNET  AND  PEACOCK. 

THE  Hornet,  of  eighteen  guns,  commanded  by 
captain  Lawrence,  as  stated  in  the  preceding  article, 
sailed  in  company  with  the  Constitution.  Such  was 
the  eagerness  of  captain  Lawrence  to  engage  the 
Bonne  Citoyenne,  though  a  much  larger  vessel,  and 
having  a  greater  force,  both  in  guns  and  men,  that  he 
sent,  through  the  American  consul  at  St.  Salvador, 
a  challenge  to  her  commander,  captain  Green,  pledg- 
ing his  honour,  that  neither  the  Constitution,  nor  any 
other  American  vessels  should  interfere.  This 
pledge  was  confirmed  by  commodore  Bainbridge,  who 
to  show  his  sincerity,  left  the  Hornet  before  St.  Sal- 
vador, and  sailed  on  another  cruise.  The  comman- 
(Jer  of  the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  however  did  not  see  fit 
to  accept  of  the  challenge,  but  suffered  himself  to  be 
blockaded  by  the  Hornet.  Captain  Lawrence  con- 
tinued  for  fourteen  days  off  the  harbour  of  St.  Sal- 
vador, blockading  the  Bonne  Citoyenne.  Two  oth- 
er English  vessels  were  likewise  in  the  same  port, 
namely,  the  Fox,  of  twelve  guns,  and  an  armed 
schooner. 

*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  188—192 
11 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


O 

O 

•J 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  83 

On  the  24th  of  January,  the  Montague  of  seven- 
ty-four guns,  hove  in  sight,  and  drove  the  Hornet 
into  the  harbour — but  night  coming  on,  she  wore, 
and  stood  out  to  the  southward.  Captain  Lawrence, 
knowing  that  the  seventy-four  had  come  for  the 
purpose  of  relieving  the  Bonne  Citoyenne  and  pack- 
et Fox  from  blockade,  judged  it  most  prudent  to 
change  his  cruising  ground.  He  therefore  hauled  by 
the  wind  to  the  westward,  with  the  intention  of  cruis- 
ing off  Pernambuco. 

On  the  10th  of  February  he  captured  the  English 
brig  Resolution,  of  ten  guns,  bound  to  Maranham, 
from  Rio  Janeiro,  laden  with  coffee,  jerked  beef,  (lour, 
fustic,  butter,  and  about  twenty-five  thousand  dollars 
in  specie.  As  this  vessel  sailed  dull,  and  as  captain 
Lawrence  could  not  spare  hands  to  man  her,  he  took 
out  the  money,  and  set  her  on  fire. 

He  then  ran  down  the  coast  for  Maranham  ;  and 
cruised  there  a  short  time.  Thence  he  ran  off  Sur- 
inam. After  cruising  off  that  coast  from  the  fifteenth 
to  the  twenty-third  of  February,  without  meeting 
with  a  vessel,  he  stood  for  Demarara  ;  and  intended 
should  he  not  be  fortunate  on  that  station,  to  run 
through  the  West  Indies,  on  his  way  to  the  United 
States — but,  on  the  24th,  in  the  morning,  he  discov- 
ered a  brig  to  leeward  ;  to  which  he  immediately 
gave  chase.  Not  having  a  pilot  on  board,  he  was 
obliged  to  haul  off.  The  fort  at  the  entrance  of  De- 
marara river  bore  southwest,  distant  about  two  and 
a  half  leagues.  Previous  to  giving  up  the  chase, 
captain  Lawrence  discovered  a  vessel  at  anchor 


84 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  85 

without  the  bar,  with  English  colours  flying.  She 
appeared  to  be  a  brig  of  war.  In  beating  round  Car- 
obana  bank,  in  order  to  get  to  her,  at  half  past  three 
p.  M.  he  discovered  another  sail  on  his  weather  quar- 
ter, edging  down  for  him.  At  twenty  minutes  past 
four,  she  hoisted  English  colours.  She  was  now 
discovered  to  be  a  large  man  of  war  brig. 

Captain  Lawrence  immediately  ordered  his  men 
to  quarters,  and  had  the  ship  cleared  for  action.  He 
kept  close  by  the  wind,  in  order  if  possible,  to  get 
the  weathergage  of  the  approaching  vessel.  At  ten 
minutes  past  five,  finding  he  could  weather  the  ene- 
emy,  he  hoisted  American  colours  and  tacked. 
About  a  quarter  of  an  hour  after  this,  the  ships  pass- 
ed each  other,  and  exchanged  broadsides  within  half 
pistol  shot.  Captain  Lawrence  observing  the  enemy 
in  the  act  of  wearing,  bore  up,  received  his  starboard 
broadside,  and  ran  him  close  on  board  on  the  star- 
board quarter.  From  that  position  he  kept  up  a 
most  severe  and  well  directed  fire.  So  great  was 
its  effect,  that,  in  less  than  fifteen  minutes  the  Brit- 
ish vessel  struck.  She  was  almost  cut  to  pieces,  and 
hoisted  an  ensign,  union  down,  from  her  fore  rigging 
as  a  signal  of  distress.  Shortly  after,  her  mainmast 
went  by  the  board. 

Lieutenant  Shubrick  was  despatched  on  board. 
He  soon  returned  with  her  first  lieutenant,  who  report- 
ed her  to  be  his  Britannick  Majesty's  brig  Peacock, 
commanded  by  captain  William  Peake,  who  fell  in 
the  action — that  a  number  of  her  crew  were  killed 
and  wounded — and  that  she  was  sinking  very  fast, 


86          NAVAL  BATTLES. 

having  then  six  feet  water  in  her  hokl.  The  boats 
of  the  Hornet  were  immediately  despatched  for  the 
wounded.  Both  vessels  were  brought  to  anchor. 
Those  shot  holes  in  the  Peacock  that  could  be  got 
at,  were  then  plugged,  and  her  guns  thrown  over- 
board. Every  exertion  was  used  to  keep  her  afloat, 
until  the  prisoners  could  be  removed,  by  pumping 
and  bailing,  but  without  effect.  She  unfortunately 
sunk  in  five  and  a  half  fathoms  water,  with  thirteen 
of  her  crew,  and  three  of  the  Hornet's.  Lieutenant 
Connor,  midshipman  Cooper,  and  the  remainder  of 
the  men  employed  in  removing  the  prisoners,  with 
difficulty  saved  themselves  by  jumping  into  a  boat 
that  was  lying  on  the  booms,  as  the  vessel  went 
down.  Four  men  of  the  Peacock's  crew,  who  wrere 
on  board  when  she  went  down,  and  were  so  fortunate 
as  to  gain  the  foretop,  were  afterwards  taken  off  by 
the  Hornet's  boats.  Previous  to  the  Peacock's 
sinking,  four  of  her  men  took  to  her  stern  boat, 
which  had  been  much  damaged  during  the  action. 
There  was  little  or  no  prospect  of  their  reaching  the 
land.  They,  however,  arrived  safe  at  Demarara. 

Captain  Lawrence  could  not  ascertain  from  the 
officers  of  the  Peacock  the  exact  number  of  killed. 
Captain  Peake  and  four  men  were  found  dead  on 
board.  The  master,  one  midshipman,  carpenter, 
captain's  clerk,  and  twenty-nine  seamen  of  the  Pea- 
cock, were  wounded  ;  most  of  them  very  severely — 
three  died  after  being  removed — nine  were  drowned. 

The  Hornet  had  only  one  -  man  killed,  and  two 
sMghtly  wounded.  Two  men  were  also  severely 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  87 

burnt  by  the  explosion  of  ;i  cartridge,  one  of  whom 
died  a  few  days  after.  The  rising  and  sails  of  the 
Hornet  were  much  cut.  A  shot  passed  through  the 
foremast ;  the  bowsprit  was  slightly  injured  ;  but  her 
hull  received  very  little  injury. 

At  the  time  captain  Lawreace  brought  the  Pea- 
cock to  action,  the  Espiegle,  the  brig  mentioned  as 
being  at  anchor,  lay  within  six  miles  of  the  Hornet, 
between  her  and  the  shore,  and  could  plainly  see 
the  whole  of  the  action.  She  mounted  eighteen 
guns.  Supposing  that  she  would  beat  out  to  the  as- 
sistance of  her  consort,  great  exertions  were  used  by 
the  officers  and  crew  of  the  Hornet,  to  repair  her 
damages.  By  nine  o'clock  her  boats  were  stowed ; 
a  new  set  of  sails  bent ;  and  the  ship  completely 
ready  for  action. 

At  two  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  Hornet  got  under  way 
and  stood  by  the  wind  to  the  northward  and  west- 
ward, under  easy  sail.  On  mustering  next  morning, 
two  hundred  and  seventy  souls  were  found  to  be  on 
board  the  Hornet.  As  the  crew  of  the  latter  had 
been  for  some  time  on  short  allowance,  captain  Law- 
it  iicc  resolved  to  make  the  best  of  his  way  to  the 
United  States. 

The  Peacock  was  deservedly  styled  one  of  the 
finest  vessels  of  her  class  in  the  British  navy.  She 
was  about  the  tonnage  of  the  Hornet.  Her  beam 
was  greater  by  five  hiches  ;  but  her  extreme  length 
not  so  great  by  four  feet.  She  mounted  sixteen  four 
and-tweaty  pound  carronades,  two  long  nines,  a 
twelve  pound  carronade  on  her  top  gallant  fore-castle 


88  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

as  a  shifting  gun,  and  a  four  or  six  pounder,  and  two 
swivels  aft.  By  her  quarter  bill,  her  crew  consisted 
of  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  men,  four  of  whom 
were  absent  in  a  prize,  besides  four  men  and  one  boy, 
who  were  not  on  her  quarter  bill. 

Of  the  Hornet's  crew,  the  sailing  master  and 
seven  men  were  absent  in  a  prize ;  and  lieutenant 
Stewart  and  six  men  on  the  sick  list. 

The  conduct  of  the  Hornet's  crew  towards  the 
British  seamen,  who,  by  the  sinking  of  their  vessel, 
had  lost  every  thing  except  what  they  had  on  their 
backs,  manifested  much  humanity  and  generosity. 
They  raised  among  themselves  a  sufficiency  to  sup- 
ply these  distressed  seamen,  with  two  shirts,  a  blue 
jacket  and  trowsers  each.  The  surviving  officers  of 
the  Peacock  returned  a  public  acknowledgment  to 
the  captain  and  officers  of  the  Hornet,  for  the  hu- 
manity and  kindness  wherewith  they  treated  them. 

Captain  Lawrence  on  his  return  to  the  United 
States  was  received  with  great  distinction  and  ap- 
plause. The  same  tokens  of  approbation  and  esteem 
were  conferred  on  him  by  public  bodies,  with  which 
other  gallant  and  successful  commanders  had  been 
honoured.* 


CHESAPEAKE  AND  SHANNON. 

The  Chesapeake  frigate,  commanded  by  captain 
Evans,  sailed  from  Boston  about  the  middle  of  No- 
*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  202—206. 


.N  VVAL     BATTLES.  89 

vember,  1812;  and  alter  a  cruise  of  one  hundred 
and  fifteen  days,  returned  to  Boston.  During  the 
cruise  several  captures  of  some  importance  were 
made. 

The  Chesapeake  continued  in  Boston  harbour 
until  the  first  of  June,  the  day  of  her  unfortunate 
rencounter  with  the  Shannon.  Captain  Lawrence, 
of  the  Hornet,  had  a  short  time  previous  been  ap- 
pointed to  command  the  Chesapeake,  and  hardly 
had  he  arrived  at  Boston,  when  the  Shannon,  com- 
manded by  captain  Broke,  appeared  off  the  harbour 
with  the  avowed  purpose  of  seeking  a  combat  with 
her. 

"  Stung  with  the  repeated  disasters  of  the  British 
frigates,  this  officer  resolved  to  make  an  effort  to 
retrieve  them  ;  and  when  he  deemed  his  ship  per- 
fectly prepared  for  that  purpose,  sent  a  formal  chal- 
lenge to  captain  Lawrence. 

"  '  As  the  Chesapeake,'  his  letter  began,  *  appears 
now  ready  for  sea,  I  request  you  will  do  me  the  fa- 
vour to  meet  the  Shannon  with  her,  ship  to  ship,  to 
try  the  fortune  of  our  respective  flags.  To  an  offi- 
cer of  your  character,  it  requires  some  apology  for 
proceeding  to  further  particulars.  Be  assured,  sir, 
that  it  is  not  from  any  doubt  I  entertain  of  your  wishing 
to  close  with  my  proposal  but  merely  to  provide  an 
answer  to  any  objection  that  might  be  made,  and 
very  reasonably,  upon  the  chance  of  our  receiving 
unfair  support.'  After  observing  that  commodore 
Rodgers  had  not  accepted  several  verbal  challenges 
which  he  had  given,  captain  Broke  then  proceeds  to 


90  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

state  very  minutely  the  force  of  the  Shannon,  and 
offers  to  send  all  British  ships  out  of  reach,  so  that 
they  might  have  a  fair  combat,  at  any  place  within  a 
certain  range  along  the  coast  of  New  England  which 
he  specified  ;  if  more  agreeable,  he  offers  to  sail  to- 
gether, and  to  warn  the  Chesapeake,  by  means  of  pri- 
vate signals,  of  the  approach  of  British  ships  of  war,  till 
they  reach  some  solitary  spot— or  to  sail  with  a  flag  of 
truce  to  any  place  out  of  the  reach  of  British  aid,  so 
that  the  flag  should  be  hauled  down  when  it  was 
deemed  fair  to  begin  hostilities.  '  I  entreat  you,  sir,' 
he  concludes,  *  not  to  imagine  that  I  am  urged  by 
mere  personal  vanity  to  the  wish  of  meeting  the 
Chesapeake,  or  that  I  depend  only  upon  your  per- 
sonal ambition  for  your  acceding  to  this  invitation. 
We  have  both  nobler  motives.  You  will  feel  it  as  a 
compliment,  if  I  say  that  the  result  of  our  meeting 
may  be  the  most  grateful  service  I  can  render  to  my 
country  ;  and  I  doubt  not  that  you,  equally  confident 
of  success,  will  feel  convinced  that  it  is  only  by  re- 
peated triumphs  in  even  combats,  that  your  little 
navy  can  now  hope  to  console  your  country  for  the 
loss  of  that  trade  it  can  no  longer  protect.' 

"  The  style  of  this  letter,  with  the  exception  of  the 
puerile  bravado  about  commodore  Rodgers,  is  frank 
and  manly  ;  and  if  the  force  of  the  Shannon  were 
correctly  stated,  would  be  such  a  challenge  as  might 
well  be  sent  from  a  brave  seaman  to  a  gallant  adver- 
sary. We,  however,  are  but  too  well  satisfied,  that 
captain  Broke  studiously  underrated  the  number  ok' 
his  guns  and  crew  ;  or  that,  after  his  challenge,  he 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  91 

must  have  received  additions  to  both.  That  the 
Shannon  had  more  guns  than  the  number  stated  by 
her  commander,  we  learn  from  the  testimony  of  the 
surviving  officers  of  the  Chesapeake  ;  who  also  assert, 
that  she  had  three  hundred  and  seventy-six  men ; 
that  she  had  an  officer  and  sixteen  men  from  the 
Belle  Poule  ;  and  that  the  hats  of  some  of  her  sea- 
men were  marked  '  Tenedos.'  Such  as  it  was,  how- 
ever, this  letter,  most  unfortunately,  never  reached 
captain  Lawrence.  If  he  had  received  it ;  if  he  had 
been  thus  warned  to  prepare  his  ship  ;  if  he  had  had 
an  opportunity  of  selecting  his  officers,  and  disciplin- 
ing his  crew  ;  if,  in  short,  he  had  been  able  to  place 
the  Chesapeake  on  anything  like  equal  terms  with  the 
Shannon,  the  combat  might  have  been  more  bloody — 
there  might  have  been  such  an  engagement  as  has  not 
yet  been  seen  between  single  ships  on  the  ocean; 
though  we  cannot  suffer  ourselves  to  doubt  the  result  of 
it.  But  he  knew  nothing  of  this  challenge — he  saw 
only  the  Shannon  riding  before  him  in  defiance ;  he  re- 
membered the  spirit  with  which  he  himself  over- 
awed a  superior,  and  he  could  not  brook  for  a  moment 
that  an  enemy,  which  seemed  to  be  his  equal,  should 
insult  his  flag.  Although,  therefore,  the  Chesapeake 
was  comparatively  an  inferiour  ship — although  his 
first  lieutenant  was  sick  on  shore — although  three  of 
his  lieutenants  had  recently  left  her  ;  and,  of  the 
four  who  remained,  two  were  only  midshipmen,  ac- 
ting as  lieutenants — although  part  of  his  crew  were 
new  hands,  and  all  of  them  had  lost  some  of  their 
discipline  by  staying  in  port — yet,  as  he  would  have 


92  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

gone  to  sea  in  that  situation  had  no  enemy  appeared, 
he  felt  himself  bound  not  to  delay  sailing  on  that  ac-' 
count,  and  throwing  himself,  therefore,  on  his  cour- 
age and  his  fortune,  he  determined  at  once  to  attack 
the  enemy.  It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of 
June,  1813,  that  the  Chesapeake  sailed  out  of  the  har- 
bour of  Boston,  to  meet  the  Shannon.  As  soon  as  she 
got  under  way,  captain  Lawrence  called  the  crew  to- 
gether, and  having  hoisted  the  white  flag,  with  the 
motto  of  *  free  trade  and  sailor's  rights,'  made  a 
short  address.  His  speech,  however,  was  received 
with  no  enthusiasm — on  the  contrary,  signs  of  dissat- 
isfaction were  evident ;  particularly  from  a  boat- 
swain's mate,  a  Portuguese,  who  seemed  to  be  at 
the  head  of  the  malecontents  ;  and  complaints  were 
muttered,  that  they  had  not  yet  received  their  prize 
money.  Such  expressions,  at  the  eve  of  an  action, 
were  but  ill-bodings  of  the  result  of  it;  but  captain 
Lawrence,  ignorant  as  he  was  of  the  characters  of 
his  sailors,  and  unwilling  at  such  a  moment  to  damp 
their  spirits  by  harshness,  preserved  his  accustomed 
calmness,  and  had  prize-checks,  at  once,  given  by 
the  purser  to  those  who  had  not  received  them. 
Whilst  this  scene  was  passing,  the  Shannon,  observing 
the  Chesapeake  coming  out,  bore  away.  The  Chesa- 
peake followed  her  till  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
when  she  hauled  up  and  fired  a  gun,  on  which  the 
Shannon  hove  to.  They  manoeuvred  for  some  time, 
till,  at  about  a  quarter  before  six,  they  approached 
within  pistol  shot  and  exchanged  broadsides. 


NAVAL  BATTLES.  93 

"  These  broadsides  were  both  bloody  ;  but  the 
fire  of  the  Shannon  was  most  fortunate  in  the  de- 
struction of  officers.  The  fourth  lieutenant,  Mr. 
Ballard,  was  mortally  wounded — the  sailing  master 
was  killed,  and  captain  Lawrence  received  a  musket 
ball  in  his  leg,  which  caused  great  pain,  and  profuse 
bleeding,  but  he  leaned  on  the  companion  way,  and 
continued  to  order  and  to  animate  his  crew.  A  se- 
cond, and  a  third  broadside  was  exchanged,  with 
evident  advantage  on  the  part  of  the  Chesapeake  ; 
but,  unfortunately,  among  those  now  wounded  on 
board  of  her  was  the  first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Ludlo\v, 
who  was  carried  below — three  men  were  successive- 
ly shot  from  the  helm,  in  about  twelve  minutes  from 
the  commencement  of  the  action  ;  and  as  the  hands 
were  shifting,  a  shot  disabled  her  foresail,  so  that  she 
would  no  longer  answer  her  helm,  and  her  anchor 
caught  in  one  of  the  after  ports  of  the  Shannon, 
which  enabled  the  latter  to  rake  her  upper  deck. 
As  soon  as  captain  Lawrence  perceived  that  she  was 
falling  to  leeward,  and  that  by  the  Shannon's  filling 
she  would  fall  on  board,  he  called  his  boarders,  and  was 
giving  orders  about  the  foresail,  when  he  received  a 
musket  ball  in  his  body.  The  bugleman,  who  should 
have  called  the  boarders,  did  not  do  his  duty ;  and, 
at  this  moment,  commodore  Broke,  whose  ship  had 
suffered  so  much  that  he  was  preparing  to  repel  board- 
ing ;  perceiving,  from  this  accident,  how  the  deck  of 
the  Chesapeake  was  swept,  jumped  on  board  with 
about  twenty  men.  They  would  have  been  instant- 
ly repelled ;  but  the  captain,  the  first  lieutenant,  the 


94  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

sailing-master,  the  boatswain,  the  lieutenant  of  ma- 
rines, the  only  acting  lieutenant  on  the  spar-deck, 
were  all  killed  or  disabled.  At  the  call  of  the  board- 
-  ers,  lieutenant  Cox  ran  on  deck,  but  just  in  time  to 
eceive  his  falling  commander,  and  bear  him  below. 
Lieutenant  Budd,  the  second  lieutenant,  led  up  the 
boarders,  but  only  fifteen  or  twenty  would  follow  him, 
and  with  these  he  defended  the  ship  till  he  was 
wounded  and  disabled.  Lieutenant  Ludlow,  wound- 
ed as  he  was,  hurried  upon  deck,  where  he  soon  re- 
ceived a  mortal  cut  from  a  sabre.  The  marines  who 
were  engaged  fought  with  desperate  courage ;  but 
they  were  few  in  number ;  too  many  of  them  having 
followed  the  Portuguese  boatswain's  mate,  who  ex- 
claimed, it  is  said,  as  he  skulked  below,  *  so  much 
for  not  paying  men  their  prize-money.'  Meanwhile 
the  Shannon  threw  on  board  sixty  additional  men,  who 
soon  succeeded  in  overpowering  the  seamen  of  the 
Chesapeake,  who  had  now  no  officer  to  lead  or  rally 
them,  and  took  possession  of  the  ship ;  which  was 
not,  however,  surrendered  by  any  signal  of  submis- 
sion, but  became  the  enemy's  only  because  they  were 
able  to  overwhelm  all  who  were  in  a  condition  to 
resist. 

"  As  captain  Lawrence  was  carried  below,  he  per- 
ceived the  melancholy  condition  of  the  Chesapeake, 
but  cried  out,  '  Don't  surrender  the  ship.'  He  was 
taken  down  into  the  ward-room,  and  as  he  lay  in  ex- 
cruciating pain,  perceiving  that  the  noise  above  had 
ceased,  he  ordered  the  surgeon  to  go  on  deck,  and 
tell  the  officers  to  fight  on  to  the  last,  and  never 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  95 

strike  their  colours.  'They  shall  wave,'  said  he, 
'  while  I  live.'  But  it  was  too  late  to  resist  or  to 
struggle  longer  ;  the  enemy  had  already  possession 
of  the  ship.  As  captain  Lawrence's  wounds  would 
not  allow  of  his  removal,  he  continued  in  the  ward- 
room, surrounded  by  his  wounded  officers,  and,  after 
lingering  in  great  pain  for  four  days,  during  which 
his  sufferings  were  too  acute  to  permit  him  to  speak, 
or,  perhaps,  to  think  of  the  sad  events  he  had  just 
witnessed,  or  do  more  than  ask  for  what  his  situation 
required,  he  died  on  the  5th  of  June*  His  body  was 
wrapped  in  the  colours  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  laid 
on  the  quarter  deck,  until  they  arrived  at  Halifax, 
where  he  was  buried  with  the  highest  military  and 
naval  honours  ;  the  British  officers  forgetting  in  their 
admiration  of  his  character,  that  he  had  been  but 
lately  their  enemy.  His  pall  was  supported  by  the 
oldest  captains  in  the  navy  then  at  Halifax,  and  no 
demonstration  of  respectful  attention  was  omitted  to 
honour  the  remains  of  a  brave,  but  unfortunate  stranger, 

"  In  this  sanguinary  engagement  the  Chesapeake 
lost  her  commander  and  forty-seven  men  killed,  and 
ninety-seven  wounded,  of  whom  fourteen  afterwards 
died.  Among  these  were  lieutenant  Ludlow,  first 
lieutenant  of  the  ship,  and  lieutenant  Ballard,  the 
fourth  lieutenant,  both  excellent  officers. 

"  On  the  part  of  the  Shannon  captain  Broke  was 
dangerously  wounded,  though  he  has  since  recover- 
ed ;  the  first  lieutenant,  the  purser,  captain's  clerk, 
and  twenty-three  seamen  killed,  and  fifty-seven  per- 
sons wounded,  besides  captain  Broke. 


96 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  97 

"  The  capture  of  the  Chesapeake  is  to  be  ascribed 
wholly  to  the  extraordinary  loss  of  officers  (a  loss 
without  any  precedent,  as  far  as  we  can  recollect,  in 
naval  history ;)  and  to  her  falling  accidentally  on 
board  the  Shannon.  During  the  three  broadsides, 
while  the  officers  of  the  Chesapeake  were  living,  and 
she  was  kept  clear  of  the  enemy,  the  superiority  was 
manifestly  with  the  Americans.  The  Chesapeake 
had  received  scarcely  any  damage,  while  the  Shan- 
non had  several  shots  between  wind  and  water,  and 
could  with  difficulty  be  kept  afloat  during  the  suc- 
ceeding night.  It  was  only  when  accident  threw 
the  Chesapeake  on  board  the  Shannon,  when  her 
officers  were  unable  to  lead  on  the  boarders,  that 
captain  Broke  himself,  contrary,  we  believe,  to  the 
regulations  of  the  British  navy,  left  his  own  ship,  and 
was  able,  by  superior  numbers,  to  overpower  the 
distracted  crew  of  the  Chesapeake. 

"  We  have  heard  many  accounts,  which  we  are 
very  reluctantly  compelled  to  believe,  of  improper 
conduct  by  the  British  after  the  capture,  and  of  bru- 
tal violence  offered  to  the  crew  of  the  Chesapeake. 
As,  however,  some  allowances  are  due  to  the  exas- 
perated passions  of  the  moment,  something  too  to  the 
confusion  of  a  bloody  and  doubtful  struggle,  we  are 
unwilling  to  prolong  the  remembrance  of  imputations 
which  may  be  disproved,  and  perhaps  have  been  ex- 
aggerated. 

"But  we  should  wrong  the  memory  of  captain 
Lawrence,  we  should  be  unjust  to  the  officers  of  the 

American  navy,  with  whose  glory  all  the  aspiring 
13 


98  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

ambition  of  the  country  is  so  closely  blended,  if  ws. 
omitted  any  opportunity  of  giving  the  last  and  fair- 
est lustre  to  their  fame,  by  contrasting  their  conduct 
with  that  of  the  enemy,  or  if  we  forbore,  from  any 
misplaced  delicacy  towards  our  adversaries,  to  report 
circumstances  connected  with  the  fate  of  the  Chesa- 
peake, which  throw  a  broad  and  dazzling  light  on  the 
generous  magnanimity  of  our  countrymen." 

Our  readers  cannot  have  failed  to  observe  the  li- 
berality which  was  extended  to  the  officers  and  crews 
of  the  Guerriere,  Macedonian,  and  Java,  and  the 
still  more  striking  instance  of  the  Peacock.  "  When 
the  Chesapeake  was  taken  by  the  Shannon,  the  key 
of  captain  Lawrence's  store  room  was  demanded 
of  the  purser.  It  was  given  ;  but  the  purser  observ- 
ed at  the  same  time,  that  in  the  captures  of  the  Guer- 
riere, Macedonian,  and  Java,  the  most  scrupulous  re- 
gard was  paid  to  the  private  property  of  the  British 
officers  ;  that  captain  Lawrence  had  laid  in  stores  for 
a  long  cruise  ;  and  that  the  value  of  them  would  be  a 
great  object  to  his  widow  and  family,  for  whose  use 
he  was  desirous,  if  possible,  of  preserving  them.  This 
request  was  not  merely  declined  ;  it  was  haughtily 
and  superciliously  refused. 

"  However  we  may  mourn  the  sufferings  of  that 
day,  the  loss  of  the  Chesapeake  has  not,  in  our  esti- 
mation, varied  the  relative  standing  of  the  marine  of 

the  two  countries ;  nor  does  it  abate,  in  the  slightest 
_ 

degree,  any  of  the  loftiness  of  our  naval  pretensions. 
The  contest  was  wholly  unequal  in  ships,  in  guns,  in 
crews,  in  officers,  in  every  thing. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  99 

"  The  Shannon  was  a  better  ship  ;  she  had  not 
upon  her  the  curse  of  that  ill-omened  name,  the 
Chesapeake.  The  Shannon  was  a  stronger  ship  ;  she 
mounted  twenty-eight  eighteen  pounders  on  the  main 
deck,  twenty-two  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  and 
two  long  brass  nine  or  twelves,  on  the  spar  deck,  and  a 
large  carronade  amidships,  in  all  fifty-two  guns,  be- 
sides this  last  heavy  carronade  ;  while  the  Chesapeake 
mounted  twenty-eight  eighteen  pounders  on  the  main 
deck,  and  twenty  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  and 
one  eighteen  pounder,  chase  gun,  on  the  spar  deck,  in 
all  forty-nine  guns. 

"  The  Shannon  had  a  better  crew.  Besides  her 
complement  she  had  seamen  from  two  other  ships. 
That  crew,  too,  had  been  long  at  sea ;  long  in  the 
ship ;  were  known  ;  were  tried  ;  and  as  commodore 
Broke  sent  a  challenge,  were,  of  course,  men  on 
whom,  if  they  were  not  picked  for  the  occasion,  he 
knew  he  could  confide.  The  Chesapeake  had,  on 
the  contrary,  in  part,  a  new  crew,  unknown  to  their 
officers,  not  yet  knowing  their  places  or  the  ship. 
The  ship  had  not  been  more  than  a  few  hours  at 
sea,  and  the  landsmen  and  the  landswomen  had  been 
dismissed  from  her  on  the  very  day  of  the  engage- 
ment. The  officers,  too,  although  we  should  be 
the  last  to  detract  from  their  merits,  and  although  the 
manner  in  which  they  fought  their  ship  does  them 
the  highest  honour,  the  officers  were  young  and  few 
in  number,  and  had  as  yet  hardly  any  opportunity  of 
disciplining  or  knowing  their  seamen ;  yet,  under 
all  these  disadvantages,  the  great  damage  sustained 


100  NAVAL     BATTLES, 

by  the  Shannon,  and  the  great  loss  of  her  crew, 
all  which  took  place  before  the  boarding,  warrant 
completely  the  opinion,  that,  but  for  the  accidental 
loss  of  officers,  the  victory  would  have  been  with  the 
Chesapeake."* 

Mr.  Crowninshield,  of  Salem,  obtained  a  flag  of 
truce  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  to  the  United 
States  the  bodies  of  Lawrence  and  Ludlow,  which 
he  performed.  On  his  return  to  Salem,  the  bodies 
of  the  departed  heroes  were  conveyed,  with  the  most 
affecting  ceremonies,  from  the  cartel  to  the  shore. 
From  the  time  the  boats  left  the  brig,  until  the  bo- 
dies were  landed,  minute  guns  were  fired  from  the  ves- 
sels in  the  harbour.  When  placed  upon  the  hearses, 
they  were  covered  with  the  colours,  which  they 
had  so  lately  and  so  signally  honoured,  and  moved 
to  a  convenient  distance  for  the  procession  to  form, 
which  moved  to  solemn  musick,  to  the  meetinghouse. 
The  corpses  were  then  placed  in  the  centre  of  the 
church,  by  the  seamen  who  rowed  them  to  the 
shore,  and  who  stood,  during  the  whole  of  the  ser- 
vice, leaning  upon  them  in  an  attitude  of  mourning. 
The  church  was  hung  with  cyprus  and  evergreen. 
The  names  of  LAWRENCE  and  LUDLOW  appeared 
in  letters  of  gold,  encircled  by  festoons  of  evergreen, 
immediately  in  front  of  the  desk.  An  eulogy  was 
pronounced  h*the  honourable  judge  Story.  After  the 
performancesTin  the  meetinghouse,  the  seamen  con- 
veyed the  remains  to  the  tomb,  where  the  masonick 
societies  and  military  corps,  paid  the  last  ritual  hom- 
age to  the  illustrious  dead. 

*  Port  Fo'io. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  101 

The  bodies  of  the  deceased,  at  the  request  of  their 
relatives,  were  afterwards  carried  to  New  York,  and 
interred  with  the  respect  due  to  brave  men,  sacrific- 
ed in  defence  of  their  country. 


COM.  DECATUR  BLOCKADED  IN  NEW  LONDON. 

IN  the  early  part  of  the  summer,  (1813,)  commo- 
dore Decatur,  in  the  frigate  United  States,  accom- 
panied by  the  Macedonian,  captain  Jones,  and  the 
sloop  of  war  Hornet,  put  to  sea  from  New  York. 
But  a  very  superior  force,  consisting  of  line  of  battle 
ships  and  frigates,  hove  in  sight  and  gave  chase  im- 
mediately after  he  left  port.  The  American  squad- 
ron was  fortunate  enough  to  reach  the  harbour  of 
New  London,  where,  for  the  remainder  of  the  sum- 
mer, they  were  blockaded,  without  any  thing  inter- 
esting occurring  except  an  attempt  made  to  blow  up 
some  of  the  English  vessels  by  a  fireship.  The  fire- 
ship  was  called  the  Eagle,  and  fitted  out  for  the  pur- 
pose by  John  Scudder.  It  was  supposed  that  on  her 
being  captured,  she  would  be  taken  along  side  one 
of  the  vessels  of  war,  when,  in  attempting  to  unlade 
her,  a  considerable  quantity  of  powder-  and  other 
combustibles  would  have  been  set  on  fire.  The  at- 
tempt was  made  in  the  month  of  June.  She  was 
taken  possession  of  by  the  British  ;  but  blew  up  be- 


102  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

fore  she  got  alongside  any  of  their  large  vessels.  At 
the  time  of  explosion,  four  boats  were  seen  alongside 
which  were  all,  with  the  men  on  board  them,  de- 
stroyed. It  is  supposed  that  upwards  of  one  hundred 
of  the  British  perished. 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  EAGLE. 

IN  the  month  of  July,  a  fishing  smack  was  sent  by 
commodore  Lewis,  of  New  York,  for  the  purpose  of 
capturing  by  stratagem  the  sloop  Eagle,  a  tender  of 
the  Poictiers,  a  British  vessel  o:'  seventy-four  guns. 
The  smack  was  borrowed  of  some  fishermen.  A 
calf,  a  sheep,  and  goose  were  put  on  board.  Be- 
tween thirty  and  forty  men  well  armed  with  muskets 
were  secreted  in  the  cabin,  and  fore  peak  of  the 
smack.  Thus  prepared  she  stood  out  to  sea  as  if 
going  on  a  fishing  voyage  to  the  banks.  Only  three 
men  appeared  on  deck,  dressed  as  fishermen.  The 
Eagle,  on  perceiving  the  smack,  gave  chase.  After 
coming  along  side,  and  discovering  live  stock  on 
board,  she  ordered  the  smack  down  to  the  commo- 
dore, then  about  five  miles  ofF.  The  helmsman  of  the 
smack  answered,  "  Aye,  aye,  sir ;  "  and  apparently 
put  up  the  helm  for  that  purpose,  which  brought  the 
smack  along  side  the  Eagle,  not  more  than  three 
yards  distant.  The  watch  word  Lawrence,  was  then 
given,  and  the  armed  men  rushed  on  deck  from  be- 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  103 

low ;  and  poured  a  volley  of  musketry  into  the  ten- 
der ;  which  drove  her  crew  below  with  so  much  pre- 
cipitancy, that  they  had  not  time  to  strike  her  col- 
ours. As  soon  as  sailing  master  Percival,  who  com- 
manded the  smack,  perceived  the  deck  of  the  Brit- 
ish vessel  cleared,  he  ordered  his  men  to  cease  fir- 
ing. Upon  which  one  of  the  Eagle's  crew  appeared 
on  deck,  and  struck  her  colours.  The  Eagle  was 
safely  taken  into  New  York.* 


THIRD  CRUISE  OF  THE  PRESIDENT 

ON  the  23d  of  April,  1813,  commodore  Rodgers 
put  to  sea  from  Boston,  in  the  President  frigate,  ac- 
companied by  the  Congress,  commanded  by  captain 
Smith.  On  the  30th  he  took  his  departure  from 
President  road.  On  the  3d  of  May,  while  in  chase 
of  a  British  brig  of  war,  near  the  shoal  of  George's 
Bank,  they  passed  to  windward  of  three  sail,  one  of 
which  was  supposed  to  be  the  La  Hogue,  seventy- 
four  ;  the  others,  the  Nymph  frigate  and  a  merchant 
brig.  After  getting  clear  of  George's  Bank,  they 
continued  along  southeastwardly,  in  the  direction  of 
the  southern  edge  of  the  Gulf  stream,  till  the  8th  of 
May,  when  the  President  parted  from  the  Congress. 
Commodore  Rodgers  then  shaped  his  course,  as  near 
as  the  wind  would  permit,  to  intercept  the  enemy's 
*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  209. 


104  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

West  India  commerce,  passing  to  the  southward  of 
the  Grand  Bank.  Not  meeting  with  any  thing  in 
this  direction,  except  American  vessels  from  Lisbon 
and  Cadiz,  he  changed  his  course  to  the  northward. 
Having  reached  the  forty-eighth  degree  of  north  lat- 
itude, he  steered  for  the  Azores,  off  which  he  con 
tinued  in  different  directions  till  the  6th  of  June, 
without  meeting  any  British  vessels.  Being  inform- 
ed by  an  American  vessel,  that  four  days  previous 
she  had  passed  a  British  convoy  from  the  West  In- 
dies, the  commodore  crowded  all  sail  in  chase  to 
northeast.  Though  disappointed  in  falling  in  with  the 
convoy,  he  nevertheless  captured  four  vessels. 

Being  then  in  latitude  forty-six  north,  longitude 
twenty-eight  west,  he  determined  to  proceed  to  the 
North  Sea.  He  however  did  not  meet  with  a  single 
vessel  until  off  the  Shetland  Islands,  and  those  he 
there  met  with  were  Danish,  under  British  license. 
His  water  and  provisions  being  now  nearly  exhaust- 
ed, he  put  into  North  Bergen,  in  Norway,  on  the 
27th  of  June.  A  scarcity  in  the  country  prevented 
his  obtaining  provisions.  After  having  filled  his  casks 
with  water,  he  departed  on  the  2d  of  July,  towards 
the  Orkney  Islands,  and  thence  towards  the  North 
Cape,  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  a  convoy  of 
twenty-five  or  thirty  sail,  which,  it  was  said,  would 
leave  Archangel  about  the  middle  of  July,  under  the 
protection  of  two  sloops  of  war,  This  was  confirm- 
ed by  two  vessels  he  captured  on  the  1 8th  of  the  same 
month.  In  this,  however,  the  commodore  was  dis- 
appointed by  a  seventy-four  and  frigate  making  their 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  105 

appearance  off  North  Cape  on  the  19th  of  July,  just 
as  he  was  in  momentary  expectation  of  meeting  the 
convoy.  On  first  discovering  these  two  vessels, 
owing  to  the  haziness  of  the  weather,  he  could  not 
ascertain  their  character  with  precision.  He  accord- 
ingly stood  towards  them  until  he  discovered  their 
strength,  when  he  hauled  by  the  wind  on  the  op- 
posite tack  to  avoid  them.  But  owing  to  faint  vari- 
able winds,  and  light  for  an  entire  day,  for  in  that 
latitude  and  season  the  sun  appeared  above  the  hori- 
zon at  midnight,  the  British  vessels  were  enabled  to 
continue  the  chase  upwards  of  eighty  hours.  At 
times,  owing  to  changes  of  the  wind  in  favour  of  the 
British  vessels,  they  were  brought  near  to  the  Presi- 
dent. When  these  vessels  gave  chase  to  the  Presi- 
dent, the  privateer  Scourge  of  New  York  was  in  com- 
pany, but  so  intent  were  the  British  in  their  chase 
of  the  former,  that  the  latter  escaped. 

Having  but  a  very  small  quantity  of  provisions  on 
board  his  vessel,  commodore  Rodgers  determined  to 
proceed  to  a  more  westerly  station  after  having  es- 
caped from  the  superior  British  force  that  so  long 
chased  him.  He  accordingly  steered  to  intercept 
the  trade  passing  out  of  and  into  the  Irish  channel, 
•  where  on  the  25th  of  July  and  2d  of  August  he 
made  three  captures  ;  but  receiving  information  that 
the  British  had  a  superior  force  in  the  vicinity,  he 
deemed  it  expedient  to  change  his  cruising  ground. 
After  having  made  a  circuit  round  Ireland,  and  hav- 
ing come  into  the  latitude  of  Cape  Clear,  he  steered 
for  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland,  near  to  which  h« 
14 


106  NAVAL     BAT1LES. 

captured  two  more  vessels  :  from  one  of  these  he  ob- 
tained information  that  the  Bellerophon,  a  seventy- 
four,  and  the  Hyperion  frigate,  were  on  the  eastern 
part  of  the  bank,  only  a  few  miles  to  the  westward 
of  him.  He  however  did  not  fall  in  with  them. 
From  this  place  the  commodore  directed  his  cruise 
to  the  United  States,  without  seeing  a  single  vessel 
until  the  22d  of  September,  when,  being  near  the 
south  shoal  of  Nantucket,  he  met  with  a  Swedish 
brig,  and  American  cartel.  By  this  time  the  provi- 
sions, and  particularly  the  bread  on  board  the  Presi- 
dent, was  so  nearly  expended,  that  it  became  indis- 
pensably necessary  for  the  commodore  to  put  into 
the  first  convenient  port,  after  obtaining  information 
of  the  position  of  the  British  cruisers.  This  he  ob- 
tained by  the  capture  of  his  Britanick  Majesty's 
schooner  High  Flyer,  on  the  23d,  with  which  vessel 
he  arrived  safe  at  Newport. 

During  this  cruise  commodore  Rodgers  captured 
twelve  vessels  of  which  the  crews  amounted  to  two 
hundred  and  seventy-one  persons.  He  rendered 
very  effectual  service  to  his  country  by  harassing 
the  British  commerce,  and  forcing  them  to  detach  a 
great  number  of  their  vessels  of  war  in  an  unsuc- 
cessful pursuit.* 

It  is  a  circumstance,  somewhat  singular,  that,  since 
the  rencounter  with  the  Belvidere,  commodore  Rodg- 
ers has  never  met  with  an  English  frigate  that  was 
not  in  company  with  a  seventy-four ;  notwithstanding 
he  cruised  in  the  European  seas,  and  coasted  the 
*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  213—214 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  107 

shores  of  Britain  and  Ireland.  He  twice  traversed 
over  more  than  half  the  globe,  without  meeting  a 
British  frigate ;  and  though  he  sought  them  in  their 
own  seas,  and  along  their  own  shores,  he  never  had 
the  good  fortune  to  bring  one  of  them  to  action. 
Yet,  with  all  this,  commodore  Rodgers  has  suffered 
no  diminution  of  reputation.  It  is  creditable  to  the 
American  character,  to  cherish  and  uphold  the  high 
reputation  of  a  meritorious  officer,  notwithstanding 
opportunities  have  not  been  given  him  to  display 
his  skill  and  prowess  against  an  equal  force  of  the 
enemy. 


CRUISE  OF  THE  CONGRESS. 

THE  Congress,  after  parting  with  the  President, 
on  the  8th  of  May,  proceeded,  in  a  circuitous  direc- 
tion, to  the  southeast,  crossing  the  equator,  passing 
the  northeast  coast  of  Brazil,  and  thence  homeward. 
During  this  cruise,  captain  Smith  made  prizes  of  three 
valuable  vessels  of  the  enemy,  two  of  which  were 
destroyed,  after  taking  out  the  most  valuable  part  of 
their  cargoes  ;  and  the  other  given  up  to  the  prisonr 
ers,  who  were  paroled.  He  arrived  in  Portsmouth 
harbour  on  the  14th  of  December. 


NAVAL     BATTLES, 


ARGUS  AND  PELICAN. 

CAPTAIN  ALLEN,  in  the  brig  Argus,  sailed  from 
the  United  States  for  France,  having  on  board  Mr. 
Crawford,  minister  to  the  court  of  Paris,  in  May, 
1813.  He  arrived  there  in  the  short  passage  of 
twenty-three  days,  during  which  he  captured  and 
destroyed  a  British  schooner  of  six  guns. 

After  remaining  at  L'Orient  a  few  days,  he  pro- 
ceeded on  a  cruise  in  the  British  channel,  where  he 
captured  twenty  English  vessels  ;  the  crews  of  which 
he  treated  with  humanity  and  generosity. 

The  injury  which  captain  Allen  did  to  the  British 
commerce  is,  in  some  of  their  papers,  estimated  to 
the  amount  of  two  millions.  While  employed  in 
burning,  sinking  and  destroying  the  enemy's  proper- 
ty, he  was  peculiarly  careful  to  distinguish  his  char- 
acter from  those  who  depredated  for  selfish  purposes 
only.  The  property  of  the  passengers  was  sacred 
from  hostility  ;  not  an  article  of  that  kind  would  he 
suffer  to  be  touched.  The  passengers  were  allowed 
to  go  below,  and  to  take  what  they  claimed  as 
their  own,  and  no  hands  belonging  to  the  Argus  were 
permitted  to  inspect  them  while  they  were  employed 
in  so  doing;. 

a  •*.'!•*-»*  '  •      * '  • 

On  one  occasion,  when  a  passenger  had  left  his 
surtout  behind  him,  it  was  sent  after  him,  in  the  boat : 
on  another  occasion,  captain  Allen  ordered  one  of 
his  hands,  who  was  detected  in  the  act  of  some  petty 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


109 


)10  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

plunder  of  this  kind,  to  be  flogged  at  the  gangway. 
The  English  papers,  while  they  were  writhing  under 
the  severe  injuries  thus  inflicted,  were  unanimous  in 
their  testimonials  of  respect  to  the  conduct  of  this 
gallant  officer,  for  the  humanity  and  delicacy  with 
which  he  performed  a  service  so  invidious.  Probably 
no  action  of  his  life  could  more  plainly  distinguish 
his  character  than  this :  he  loved  danger  as  much  as 
he  abhorred  to  plunder  the  defenceless. 

On  the  14th  of  August,  being  in  latitude  fifty-two 
degrees  fifteen  minutes  north,  longitude  five  de- 
grees fifty  minutes  west,  he  discovered,  at  four 
o'clock,  A.  M.  a  large  br'g  of  war,  standing  down 
under  a  press  of  sail  upon  the  weather  quarter  of  the 
Argus.  Captain  Allen  immediately  prepared  to  re- 
ceive her;  and  being  unable  to  get  the  weathergage, 
he  shortened  sail,  and  gave  her  an  opportunity  of 
closing.  At  six  o'clock,  the  brig  having  displayed 
English  colours,  the  Argus  hoisted  the  American 
flag,  wore  round,  and  gave  her  the  larboard  broad- 
side, being  at  this  time  within  grape  distance,  which 
was  returned,  and  the  action  commenced  within  the 
range  of  musketry.  A  few  minutes  past  six,  captain 
Allen  was  wounded  ;  and,  being  much  exhausted  by 
the  loss  of  blood,  was  taken  below.  At  this  time, 
the  Argus  had  lost  her  main  braces,  main  springstay, 
gaff,  and  try-sail  mast,  and  shortly  after  her  sprit- 
sail-yard,  and  the  principal  part  of  the  rigging  on  the 
larboard  side  of  the  foremast.  Lieutenant  Watson, 
upon  whom  the  command  of  the  vessel  devolved,  af- 
ter captain  Allen  was  carried  below,  received  a 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  Ill 

wound  on  the  head  from  a  grape  shot,  which,  for  a 
time,  rendered  him  incapable  of  attending  to  duty, 
and  he  was  also  carried  below.  The  command  now 
devolved  upon  lieutenant  Allen  ;  the  enemy,  being 
on  the  weather  quarter  of  the  Argus,  edged  off,  for 
the  purpose  of  getting  under  her  stern,  but  the  Argus 
frustrated  his  attempt  by  giving  him  a  broadside. 
About  half  past  six,  the  Argus,  having  lost  the 
use  of  her  after-sails  fell  before  the  wind,  when  the 
enemy  succeeded  in  passing  her  stern,  and  ranged 
upon  the  starboard  side.  The  Wheel-ropes,  and 
rigging  of  every  description  being  shot  away,  the 
Argus  became  unmanageable  ;  and  the  enemy,  not 
having  sustained  any  apparent  damage,  had  it  com- 
pletely in  his  power  to  choose  a  position.  By  this 
advantage  he  profited,  and  continued  to  play  upon 
her  starboard  quarter,  occasionally  shifting  his  situa- 
tion, when  lieutenant  Watson  returned  to  the  deck, 
and  prepared  to  board  the  enemy  ;  but,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  shattered  condition  of  the  Argus,  was 
unable  to  effect  it.  After  this,  the  British  continued 
a  raking  fire,  which  could  be  but  faintly  opposed,  the 
guns  of  the  Argus  being  much  disabled,  and  seldom 
brought  to  bear.  Having  suffered  in  the  hull  and 
rigging,  and  also  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  being 
exposed  to  a  galling  fire,  which,  from  the  enemy's 
ability  to  manage,  could  not  be  avoided,  lieutenant 
Watson  deemed  it  necessary  to  surrender.  The  Ar- 
gus was  then  taken  possession  of  by  the  British  sloop 
of  war  Pelican,  of  twenty-one  carriage  guns,  viz. 
sixteen  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  four  long  sixes, 


112  NAVAL   BATTLES. 

and  one  twelve  pound  carronade,  commanded  by 
captain  Maples.  The  Argus  carried  eighteen  twen- 
ty-four pounders,  and  two  long  twelves. 

The  loss  on  board  the  Pelican,  as  stated  in  the 
British  official  account,  was  eight  in  killed  and 
wounded. 

The  loss  in  the  Argus  was  six  killed  and  twelve 
wounded.  Five  of  the  wounded  died  soon  after, 
among  whom  was  captain  Allen,  who  lost  his  leg  at 
the  second  broadside,  and  died  the  next  day. 

It  would  be  unjust  to  the  feelings  which  are  reviv- 
ed by  the  preceding  account,  and  ungrateful  to  the 
memory  of  a  brave  and  distinguished  officer,  to  re- 
cord in  our  pages  only  the  circumstances  which  cost 
him  his  life,  and  his  countrymen  so  much  poignant 
regret.  The  prominent  traits  of  his  character,  and 
the  honours  paid  to  his  remains,  in  a  foreign  land, 
and  by  those  who  were  his  adversaries  in  war,  should 
be  co-extensive  with  every  register  of  naval  achieve- 
ments. 

The  following  letter  from  John  Hawker,  Esq. 
ci-devant  American  consul,  will  be  read  with  interest. 

Plymouth,  August  19,  1813. 

SIR. — The  station  I  have  had  the  honour  to  hold 
for  many  years  past,  of  American  vice-consul,  calls 
forth  my  poignant  feelings  in  the  communication  I 
have  to  make  to  you  of  the  death  of  your  son,  cap- 
tain Allen,  late  commander  of  the  United  States  brig 
of  war  Argus,  which  vessel  t#as  captured  on  Satur- 
day last,  in  the  Irish  channel,  after  a  very  sharp  ac- 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  113 

tion  of  three  quarters  of  an   hour,  by  his  Britannick 
majesty's  ship  Pelican. 

Early  in  the  action  he  lost  his  left  leg,  but  refused 
to  be  carried  below,  till  from  loss  of  blood  he  fainted. 
Messrs.  Edwards  and  Delphy,  midshipmen,  and  four 
seamen  were  killed  ;  and  lieutenant  Watson,  the 
carpenter,  boatswain,  boatswain's  mate,  and  seven 
men  wounded.  Captain  Allen  submitted  to  amputa- 
tion above  the  knee,  while  at  sea.  He  was  yester- 
day morning  attended  by  very  eminent  surgical  gen- 
tlemen, and  removed  from  the  Argus  to  the  hospital, 
where  every  possible  attention  and  assistance  would 
have  been  afforded  him  had  he  survived  ;  but  which 
was  not,  from  the  first  moment,  expected,  from  the 
shattered  state  of  his  thigh.  At  eleven,  last  night, 
he  breathed  his  last !  He  was  sensible,  at  intervals, 
until  within  ten  minutes  of  his  dissolution,  when  he 
sunk  exhausted,  and  expired  without  a  struggle  ! 
His  lucid  intervals  were  very  cheerful,  and  he  was 
satisfied  and  fully  sensible  that  no  advice  and  assist- 
ance would  be  wanting.  A  detached  room  was  pre- 
pared by  the  commissary  and  chief  surgeon,  and  fe- 
male attendants  engaged,  that  every  tenderness  and 
respect  might  be  experienced.  The  master,  purser 
surgeon,  and  one  midshipman,  accompanied  captain 
Allen,  who  was  also  attended  by  his  two  servants. 

I  have  communicated  and  arranged  with  the  offi- 
cers respecting  the  funeral,  which  will  be  in  the  most 
respectful,  and  at  the  same  time  economical  manner. 
The  port  admiral  has  signified  that  it  is  the  intention 

of  his  Britannick  majesty's  government,  that  it  b& 
15 


114  NAVAL  BATTLES. 

publickly  attended  by  officers  of  rank,  and  with  mili- 
tary honours.  The  time  fixed  for  procession  is  on 
Saturday,  at  eleven,  A.  M.  A  lieutenant-colonel's 
guard  of  the  royal  marines  is  also  appointed.  A 
wainscoat  coffin  has  been  ordered ;  on  the  breast 
plate  of  which  will  be  inscribed  as  below.*  Mr. 
Delphy,  one  of  the  midshipmen,  who  lost  both  legs, 
and  died  at  sea,  was  buried  yesterday  in  St.  Andrew's 
churchyard.  I  have  requested  that  captain  Allen 
may  be  buried  as  near  him,  on  the  right  (in  the  same 
vault,  if  practicable,)  as  possible. 

I  remain,  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant. 

(Signed)  JOHN  HAWKER, 

Cidevant  American  vice-consuK 
To  GEN.  ALLEN,  &c.  Stc.  &c.  Providence,  R.  I. 

On  the  21st  of  August,  agreeably  to  previous  ar- 
rangement, the  remains  of  the  departed  Allen  were 
interred  at  Plymouth.  The  following  was  the  order 
of  the  funeral  procession. 

PROCESSION. 

Guard   of  Honour. 
Lieutenant-colonel  of  royal  marines, 
!  with  two  companies  of  that  corps, 

The  captains,  subalterns  and  field-adjutant  (Officers 

with  hat-bands  and  scarfs.) 

Royal  marine  band. 

'  Tablet,  whereon  will  be  recorded  the  name,  rank,  age  and 
character  of  the  deceased,  and  also  of  the  midshipman,  will  be 
placed  (if  it  can  be  contrived)  as  I  have  suggested  ;  both  having 
their  lives  m  fighting  for  the  honour  of  their  country. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  115 

Vicar  and  curate  of  St.  Andrews. 
Clerk  of  ditto. 

THE    HEARSE, 

With  the  corpse  of  the  deceased  captain, 
Attended  by  eight  seamen,  late  of  the  Argus,  with  crape  round 

their  arms,  tied  with  white  crape  ribbon. 
Also,  eight  British  captains  of  the  royal  navy,  as  pall-bearers, 

with  hat-bands  and  scarfs. 
Captain  Allen's  servants  in  mourning. 
The  officers,  late  of  the  Argus,  in  uniform,  with  crape  sashes 

and  hat-bands,  two  and  two. 
John  Hawker,  Esq.  late  American  vice-consul,  and  his  clerks, 

Captain  Pellowe,  commissioner  for  prisoners  of  war. 

Dr.  M'Grach,  chief  medical  officer  at  Mill  Prison  depot. 

Captains  of  the  royal  navy,  in  port,  two  and  two 

Followed  by  a  very  numerous  and  respectable 

retinue  of  inhabitants. 

The  procession  left  Mill  Prison  at  twelve  o'clock. 
The  coffin  was  covered  with  a  velvet  pall,  on  which 
was  spread  the  American  ensign,  under  which  the 
action  was  fought,  and  on  that  the  hat  and  sword  of 
the  deceased  were  laid.  On  the  coffin  being  remov- 
ed to  the  hearse,  the  guard  saluted  ;  and  when  de- 
posited in  the  hearse,  the  procession  moved  forward, 
the  band  played  the  "  Dead  march  in  Saul."  On 
their  arrival  near  the  church,  the  guard  halted  and 
clubbed  arms,  single  files  inward,  through  which  the 
procession  passed  to  the  church,  into  which  the  corpse 
was  carried,  and  deposited  in  the  centre  aisle,  whilst 
the  funeral  service  was  read  by  the  reverend  vicar, 
after  which  it  was  removed  and  interred  in  the  south 
yard,  (passing  through  the  guard  the  same  order 
from  as  to  the  church,  on  the  right  of  Mr.  Delphy, 


116  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

midshipman  of  the  Argus,  who  lost  both  his  legs  in 
the  same  action,  and  was  buried  the  preceding  eve- 
ning. 

Thus  lived  and  thus  died  William  Henry  Allen. 

By  the  company  and  conversation  of  the  elegant 
and  polite,  the  hard  and  severe  duties  of  the  sailor 
acquired  a  sort  of  polish,  and  his  character  present- 
ed that  combination  of  gallantry,  grace  and  intrepi- 
dity, that  so  irresistibly  attracts.  In  the  hour  of 
danger,  he  was  calm,  intrepid  and  persevering ;  in  pri- 
vate intercourse,  guarded,  affable  and  delicate.  En- 
tering into  the  navy  with  large  and  expanded  ideas  of 
honour,  the  perils  he  encountered,  and  the  hard  ser- 
vices he  endured,  consolidated  his  romantick  and 
floating  visions  into  rules  and  principles  of  action. 
By  never  lowering  his  lofty  standard  amidst  the  jus- 
tie  of  contending  difficulties,  he  at  length  arrived  at 
it ;  and  new  trials  served  only  to  call  into  exercise 
new  and  unexplored  resources  of  fortitude.  He  had 
so  long  forsaken  every  other  consideration  for  glory, 
that  he  finally  measured  his  life  by  this  standard,  and 
felt  a  repulsive  antipathy  to  whatever  fell  short  of 
that  measure. 

There  has  seemed  a  sort  of  compact  among  our 
naval  commanders,  never  to  quit  their  station  on 
deck.  Allen,  in  his  mutilated  state,  refused  to  be 
carried  below,  and  fainted  on  the  deck  from  loss  of 
blood.  Lawrence  showed  the  same  determined  spir- 
it, and  never  left  his  station  until  he  was  too  far  ex- 
hausted by  his  wounds  to  animate  his  men  by  his  ex- 
ample. Burrows,  although  mortally  wounded  at  his 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  117 

quarters,  still  remained  at  his  post,  survived  the  ac- 
tion, and  there  received  the  sword  of  his  gallant  and 
intrepid  antagonist. 

The  following  extract  from  captain  Allen's  letter, 
addressed  to  his  sister,  will  show  the  character  of 
this  intrepid  officer  in  an  amiable  light : 

"  When  you  shall  hear  that  I  have  ended  my  earth- 
ly career,  that  I  only  exist  in  the  kind  remembrance 
of  my  friends,  you  will  forget  my  follies,  forgive  my 
faults,  call  to  mind  some  little  instances  dear  to  re- 
flection, to  excuse  your  love  for  me,  and  shed  one 
tear  to  the  memory  of  HENRY." 


ENTERPRIZE  AND  BOXER. 

ON  the  1st  of  September,  the  United  States  brig 
Enterprize,  commanded  by  lieutenant  William  Bur- 
rows, sailed  from  Portsmouth  on  a  cruise.  On  the 
morning  of  the  3d,  Burrows  discovered  a  schooner, 
which  was  chased  into  Portland  harbour,  where  the 
Enterprize  was  brought  to  anchor.  Having  received 
information  of  several  privateers  being  off  Manhagan, 
he  weighed  anchor  and  swept  out  the  following 
morning,  and  stood  for  that  place.  Next  day  a  large 
brig  of  war  was  discovered,  to  which  chase  was  im- 
mediately given.  The  enemy  fired  several  guns, 
and  stood  for  the  Enterprize,  with  four  ensigns  hoist- 
ed. After  manoeuvring  and  reconnoitering  for  some 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 

time  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  the  force  of  the 
enemy,  lieutenant  Burrows,  about  three  in  the  after- 
noon, shortened  sail,  tacked,  and  run  down,  with  the 
intention  of  bringing  her  to  close  action.  At  twenty 
minutes  after  three  the  firing  commenced  from  both 
vessels,  within  half  pistol  shot.  The  action  contin- 
ued for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  when  the  Enter- 
prize  ranged  ahead  of  the  enemy,  rounded  to,  and 
raked  her.  Shortly  after  the  main-top-mast  and  top 
sail-yard  of  the  enemy  came  down.  The  foresail  of 
the  Enterprize  was  then  set,  and  she  took  a  position 
on  the  Starboard  bow  of  the  enemy,  and  continued  to 
rake  her,  until,  about  forty  minutes  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  action,  the  enemy  ceased  firing, 
and  cried  for  quarters  :  their  colours  being  nailed  to 
the  masts,  could  not  be  hauled  down. 

The  prize  proved  to  be  the  British  brig  Boxer,  of 
fourteen  guns.  The  number  of  her  crew  could  not 
be  ascertained,  but  sixty-four  prisoners  were  taken, 
including  seventeen  wounded.  On  board  the  Enter- 
prize  there  was  only  one  killed  and  thirteen  wounded, 
two  of  whom  died  of  their  wounds. 

Lieutenant  Burrows  fell  in  the  commencement  of 
the  action,  he,  however,  refused  to  be  carried  below, 
but,  raising  his  head,  requested  that  the  flag  might 
never  be  struck.  When  the  sword  of  the  vanquished 
enemy  was  presented  to  the  dying  conqueror,  he 
clasped  his  hands  and  said,  "  I  am  satisfied  ;  I  die 
contented ;"  and  then,  and  not  till  then,  would  he 
consent  to  be  carried  below,  where  every  attention 
was  paid  to  save  his  life,  but  in  vain.  A  few  hours 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


tig 


120  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

after  the  victory  he  breathed  his  last. — Captain 
Blythe,  the  commander  of  the  Boxer,  also  fell  in  the 
commencement  of  the  action,  having  received  a  can- 
non shot  through  the  body.  His  remains,  in  compa- 
ny with  those  of  lieutenant  Burrows,  were  brought 
to  Portland,  where  the  two  commanders  were  inter- 
red, side  by  side,  with  military  honours. 

The  Boxer  was  so  much  damaged  in  her  sails,  rig- 
ging, spars,  hull,  &c.  as  to  render  it  difficult  to  carry 
her  into  port.  The  Enterprize  received  but  trifling 
injury.  On  an  examination  of  the  prize,  she  was  ad- 
judged wholly  to  the  captors,  agreeably  to  law,  as  a 
vessel  of  superior  force. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  Enterprize  and  her 
prize  at  Portland,  the  bodies  of  the  two  commanding 
officers,  lieutenant  Burrows  and  captain  Blythe,  were 
brought  on  shore  in  ten  oared  barges,  rowed  at  min- 
ute strokes  by  masters  of  ships,  accompanied  by 
most  of  the  barges  and  boats  in  the  harbour,  while 
minute  guns  were  fired  from  the  two  vessels.  A 
grand  procession  was  then  formed,  the  corpse  of  lieu- 
tenant Burrows  preceding,  and  the  interment  took 
place  with  all  the  honours  that  the  civil  and  military 
authorities  at  the  place,  and  the  great  body  of  the 
people,  could  bestow.  During  the  procession  forts 
Preble  and  Scammel,  (names  dear  to  their  country,) 
fired  minute  guns. 

It  is  worthy  of  record  that  the  crew  of  the  Boxer 
were  permitted  to  march  in  the  late  procession  at  Port- 
land, when  their  late  captain  was  interred.  Such  was 
not  the  case  with  the  crew  of  the  Chesapeake. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  121 

The  following  documents  we  think  will  be  read 
with  more  satisfaction  than  any  thing  we  could  write 
on  the  same  subject ;  especially  the  letter  from  lieut- 
enant M'Call,  the  officer  on  whom  the  command  of 
the  Enterprize  devolved  after  lieutenant  Burrows  was 
rendered  incapable  of  directing  the  action. 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  captain  Hull  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
Portland,  September?,  1813. 

SIR, — I  had  the  honour  last  evening  to  forward 
you  by  express,  through  the  hands  of  commodore 
Bainbridge,  a  letter  received  from  Samuel  Storer, 
Esq.  navy  agent  at  this  place,  detailing  an  account 
of  the  capture  of  the  British  brig  Boxer  by  the  United 
States  brig  Enterprize. 

I  now  have  to  inform  you  that  I  left  Portsmouth 
this  morning,  and  have  this  moment  arrived,  and,  as 
the  mail  is  closing,  I  have  only  time  to  enclose  you 
the  report  of  lieutenant  M'Call,  of  the  Enterprize, 
and  to  assure  you  that  a  statement  of  the  situation 
of  the  two  vessels  as  to  the  damage  they  have  re- 
ceived, &c.  shall  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  surveys  can 
be  made.  The  Boxer  has  received  much  damage  in 
her  hull,  masts  and  sails,  indeed  it  was  with  difficulty 
she  could  be  kept  afloat  to  get  her  in.  The  Enter- 
prize is  only  injured  in  her  masts  and  sails.  I  have 
the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

ISAAC  HULL, 

The  Hon.  WM.  JONES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 
16 


122  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

United  States  brig  Enterprize,  Portland,  September  7,  1813. 
SIR, — In  consequence  of  the  unfortunate  death  of 
lieutenant-commandant  William  Burrows,  late  com- 
mander of  this  vessel,  it  devolves  on  me  to  acquaint 
you  with  the  result  of  the  cruise.  After  sailing  from 
Portsmouth  on  the  1st  instant,  we  steered  to  the 
eastward  ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  off  Wood 
Island,  discovered  a  schooner,  which  we  chased  into 
this  harbour,  where  we  anchored.  On  the  morning 
of  the  4th,  weighed  anchor  and  swept  out,  and  con- 
tinued our  course  to  the  eastward.  Having  re- 
ceived information  of  several  privateers  being  off 
Manhagan,  we  stood  for  that  place ;  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  in  the  bay  near  Penguin  Point,  dis- 
covered a  brig  getting  under  way,  which  appeared  to 
be  a  vessel  of  war,  and  to  which  we  immediately 
gave  chase.  She  fired  several  guns  and  stood  for  us, 
having  four  ensigns  hoisted.  After  reconnoitering 
and  discovering  her  force,  and  the  nation  to  which 
she  belonged,  we  hauled  upon  a  wind  to  stand  out 
of  the  bay,  and  at  three  o'clock  shortened  sail,  tack- 
ed to  run  down  with  an  intention  to  bring  her  to  close 
action.  At  twenty  minutes  after  three,  p.  M.  when 
within  half  pistol  shot,  the  firing  commenced  from 
both,  and  after  being  warmly  kept  up,  and  with  some 
mano3uvring,.  the  enemy  hailed  and  said  they  had 
surrendered,  about  four,  p.  M. — their  colours  being 
nailed  to  the  masts,  could  not  be  hauled  down.  She 
proved  to  be  his  Britannick  majesty's  brig  Boxer,  of 
fourteen  guns,  Samuel  Blythe,  Esq.  commander,  who 
fell  in  the  early  part  of  the  engagement,  having  re- 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  123 

ceived  a  cannon  shot  through  the  body.  And  I  am 
sorry  to  add  that  lieutenant  Burrows,  who  had  gal- 
lantly led  us  into  action,  fell  also  about  the  same  time 
by  a  musket  ball,  which  terminated  his  existence  in 
eight  hours. 

The  Enterprize  suffered  much  in  spars  and  rigging 
and  the  Boxer  in  spars,  rigging  and  hull,  having 
many  shots  between  wind  and  water. 

It  would  be  doing  injustice  to  the  merit  of  Mr. 
Tillinghast,  second  lieutenant,  were  I  not  to  men- 
tion the  able  assistance  I  received  from  him  during 
the  remainder  of  the  engagement,  by  his  strict  ?*- 
tention  to  his  own  division  and  other  departments. 
And  of  the  officers  and  crew  generally,  I  am  happy  to 
add,  their  cool  determined  conduct  have  my  warmest 
approbation  and  applause. 

As  no  muster  roll  that  can  be  fully  relied  on  has 
come  into  my  possession,  I  cannot  exactly  state  the 
number  killed  and  wounded  on  board  the  Boxer,  but 
from  information  received  from  the  officers  of  that 
vessel,  it  appears  there  were  between  twenty  and 
twenty-five  killed  and  fourteen  wounded.  Enclosed 
is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  on  board  of  the 
Enterprize.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 

EDWARD  R.  M'CALL,  Senior  Officer. 

£ 

ISAAC  HULL,  Esq.  commanding  naval  officer 
on  the  eastern  station. 

A  CARD. — Captain  Hull,  with  the  officers  and 
crew  of  the  United  States  brig  Enterprize,  are  deep- 
ly impressed  with  the  readiness  and  alacrity  with 


!24  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

which  the  inhabitants  of  Portland,  in  their  civil  and 
military  departments,  assembled  to  do  honour  to  the 
memory  of  the  brave  lieutenant  William  Burrows, 
late  commander  of  the  Enterprize,  who  fell  in  the 
gallant  action  with  his  Britannick  majesty's  brig 
Boxer,  which  she  captured  and  brought  into  this  port ; 
and  beg  they  will  receive  their  grateful  acknowledg- 
ments for  their  very  handsome  tribute  of  respect  ex- 
hibited in  their  attendance  on  the  funeral  of  that 
brave  officer,  as  well  as  that  of  his  gallant  competi- 
tor, captain  Samuel  Blythe,  late  commander  of  the 
Boxer,  who  fell  in  the  same  action,  and  to  whom 
equal  honours  were  paid  in  every  respect,  in  their 
funeral  obsequies,  exhibiting  to  the  world  an  evidence 
of  that  character  which  the  Americans  are  proud  to 
possess,  of  showing  every  tribute  of  respect  to  a 
brave  enemy  who  has  fallen  in  combat,  and  of  ex- 
tending to  those  in  their  power  every  mark  of  liber- 
ality and  comforit  consistent  with  their  situation  as 
prisoners. 

Captain  Hull,  with  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
Enterprize,  embrace  the  present  occasion  to  express 
the  sense  which  they  entertain  of  the  prompt  atten- 
tion and  of  the  active  and  humane  exertions  of  Sam- 
uel Storer,  Esq.  the  United  States  navy  agent  at 
Portland,  in  having  every  accommodation  provided 
for  the  wounded  on  board  the  United  States  brig 
Enterprize  as  well  as  those  on  board  the  Boxer,  be^ 
tween  whom  no  distinction  was  made.  And  they 
likewise  beg  the  physicians  of  Portland  who  have 
been  so  kind  as  to  afford  the  most  prompt  and  am- 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  125 

pic  exercise  of  their  professions  towards  the  wound- 
ed of  both  vessels,  to  accept  their  best  thanks. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  captain  Hull  to  commodore  Bainbridge, 
dated,  September  10,  1813. 

"  I  yesterday  visited  the  two  brigs,  and  was  aston- 
ished to  see  the  difference  of  injury  sustained  in  the 
action.  The  Enterprize  has  but  one  eighteen  pound 
shot  in  her  hull,  one  in  her  mainmast,  and  one  in  her 
foremast;  her  sails  are  much  cut  with  grape  shot, 
and  there  are  a  great  number  of  grape  lodged  in  her 
sides,  but  no  injury  done  by  them.  The  Boxer  has 
eighteen  or  twenty  eighteen  pound  shot  in  her  hull, 
most  of  them  at  the  water's  edge — several  stands 
of  eighteen  pound  grape  stick  in  her  side,  and  such 
a  quantity  of  small  grape  that  I  did  not  undertake  to 
count  them.  Her  masts,  sails  and  spars,  are  literal- 
ly cut  to  pieces,  several  of  her  guns  dismounted  and 
unfit  for  service  ;  her  top  gallant  forecastle  nearly  tak- 
en off  by  the  shot,  her  boats  cut  to  pieces,  and  her 
quarters  injured  in  proportion.  To  give  you  an  idea 
of  the  quantity  of  shot  about  her,  I  inform  you  that 
I  counted  in  her  mainmast  alone  three  eighteen  pound 
shot  holes,  eighteen  large  grape  shot  holes,  sixteen 
musket  ball  holes,  and  a  large  number  of  smaller 
shot  holes,  without  counting  above  the  cat  harpins. 

"  We  find  it  impossible  to  get  at  the  number  kil- 
led ;  no  papers  are  found  by  which  we  can  ascertain 
it — I  however,  counted  upwards  of  ninety  hammocks 
which  were  in  her  netting  with  beds  in  them,  besides 
several  beds  without  hammocks  ;  and  she  has  excel- 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 

accommodations  for  all  her  officers  below  in  state- 
rooms, so  that  I  have  no  doubt  that  she  had  one  hun- 
dred men  on  board.  We  know  that  she  has  several 
of  the  Rattler's  men  on  board,  and  a  quantity  of  wads 
was  taken  out  of  the  Rattler,  loaded  with  four  large 
grape  shot,  with  a  small  hole  in  the  centre  to  put  in 
a  cartridge  that  the  inside  of  the  wad  may  take  fire 
when  it  leaves  the  gun.  In  short,  she  is  in  every  re- 
spect completely  fitted,  and  her  accomodations  ex- 
ceed any  thing  I  have  seen  in  a  vessel  of  her  class." 
A  publick  dinner  was  given  at  Portland  to  lieute- 
nant M'Call  and  the  other  officers  of  the  Enterprize, 
for  their  gallant  conduct  in  the  action  with  the  Box- 
er. 


THE  ESSEX. 

CAPTAIN  PORTER,  in  the  frigate  Essex,  proceeded 
to  sea  from  the  Delaware,  on  the  twenty-seventh  of 
October,  1812,  and  repaired,  agreeably  to  instruc- 
tions from  commodore  Bainbridge,  to  the  coast  of 
Brazil,  where  different  places  of  rendezvous  had 
been  arranged  between  them.  In  the  course  of  his 
cruise  on  this  coast  he  captured  his  Britannick  majes- 
ty's packet  Nocton,  and  after  taken  out  of  her  about 
eleven  thousand  pounds  sterling  in  specie,  ordered 
her  for  America.  Hearing  of  commodore  Bain- 
bridge's  victorious  action  with  the  Java,  which  would 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  127 

oblige  him  to  return  to  port,  and  of  the  capture  of 
the  Hornet  by  the  Montague,  and  learning  that  there 
was  a  considerable  augmentation  of  British  force  on 
the  coast,  and  several  ships  in  pursuit  of  him,  he 
abandoned  his  hazardous  cruising  ground,  and  stretch- 
ed away  to  the  southward,  scouring  the  coast  as 
far  as  Rio  de  la  Plata.  From  thence  he  shaped 
his  course  for  the  Pacifick  Ocean,  and,  after  suffering 
greatly  for  want  of  provisions,  and  heavy  gales  off 
Cape  Horn,  arrived  at  Valparaiso,  on  the  14th  of 
March,  1813.  Having  victualled  his  ship,  he  ran 
down  the  coast  of  Chili  and  Peru,  and  fell  in  with  a 
Peruvian  corsair,  having  on  board  twenty-four  Ameri- 
cans, as  prisoners,  the  crews  of  two  whaling  ships, 
which  she  had  taken  on  the  coast  of  Chili.  The 
Peruvian  captain  justified  his  conduct  on  the  plea  of 
being  an  ally  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  expectation 
likewise  of  a  speedy  war  between  Spain  and  the 
United  States.  Finding  him  resolved  to  persist  in 
similar  aggressions,  captain  Porter  threw  all  his  guns 
and  ammunition  into  the  sea,  liberated  the  Americans, 
and  wrote  a  respectful  letter  to  the  viceroy  explain- 
ing his  reasons  for  so  doing,  which  he  delivered  to 
the  captain.  He  then  proceeded  to  Lima,  and  lucki- 
ly recaptured  one  of  the  American  vessels  as  she  was 
entering  the  port. 

After  this  he  cruised  for  several  months  in  the 
Pacifick,  inflicting  immense  injury  on  the  British 
commerce  in  those  waters.  He  was  particularly 
destructive  to  the  shipping  employed  in  the  sperma- 
ceti whale  fishery.  A  great  number  with  valuable 


128  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

cargoes  were  captured ;  two  were  given  up  to  the 
prisoners ;  three  sent  to  Valparaiso  and  laid  up ; 
three  sent  to  America  ;  one  of  them  he  retained  as  a 
storeship,  and  another  he  equipped  with  twenty  guns, 
called  the  Essex  junior,  and  gave  the  command  of  her 
to  lieutenant  Downes.  Most  of  these  ships  mount- 
ed several  guns,  and  had  numerous  crews  ;  and  as 
several  of  them  were  captured  by  boats  or  by  prizes, 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  Essex  had  frequent  op- 
portunities of  showing  their  skill  and  courage,  and 
of  acquiring  experience  and  confidence  in  naval  con- 
aict. 

Having  now  a  little  squadron  under  his  command, 
captain  Porter  became  a  complete  terror  in  those 
seas.  As  his  numerous  prizes  supplied  him  abund- 
antly with  provisions,  clothing,  medicine,  and  naval 
stores  of  every  description,  he  was  enabled  for  a  long 
time  to  keep  the  sea,  without  sickness  or  inconve- 
nrence  to  his  crew ;  living  entirely  on  the  enemy, 
and  being  enabled  to  make  considerable  advances 
of  pay  to  his  officers  and  crew  without  drawing  on 
government.  The  unexampled  devastation  achieved 
by  his  daring  enterprises,  not  only  spread  alarm 
throughout  the  ports  of  the  Pacifick,  but  even  occa- 
sioned great  uneasiness  in  Great  Britain. 

Numerous  ships  were  sent  out  to  the  Pacifick  in 
pursuit  of  him ;  others  were  ordered  to  cruise  in  the 
China  seas,  off  New  Zealand,  Timor  and  New  Hol- 
land, and  a  frigate  sent  to  the  river  La  Plata.  The 
manner  in  which  captain  Porter  cruised,  however, 
completely  baffled  pursuit.  Keeping  in  the  open 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  129 

sea,  or  lurking  among  the  numerous  barren  and  des- 
olate islands  that  form  the  Gallipagos  group,  and 
never  touching  on  the  American  coast,  he  left  no  tra- 
ces by  which  he  could  be  followed ;  rumour,  while 
it  magnified  his  exploits,  threw  his  pursuers  at  fault ; 
they  were  distracted  by  vague  accounts  of  captures 
made  at  different  places,  and  of  frigates  supposed  to 
be  the  Essex  hovering  at  the  same  time  off  different 
coasts  and  haunting  different  islands. 

In  the  mean  while  captain  Porter,  though  wrapped 
in  mystery  and  uncertainty  himself  yet  received  fre- 
quent and  accurate  accounts  of  his  enemies,  from  the 
various  prizes  which  he  had  taken.  Lieutenant 
Downes,  also,  who  had  convoyed  the  prizes  to  Val- 
paraiso, on  his  return,  brought  advices  of  the  expect- 
cd  arrival  of  commodore  Hillyar  in  the  Phoebe  fri- 
gate rating  thirty-six  guns  accompanied  by  two 
sloops  of  war.  Glutted  with  spoil  and  havock,^nd 
sated  with  the  easy  and  inglorious  captures  of  mer- 
chantmen, captain  Porter  now  felt  eager  for  an  op- 
portunity to  meet  the  enemy  on  equal  terms,  and  to 
signalize  his  cruise  by  some  brilliant  achievement. 
Having  been  nearly  a  year  at  sea,  he  found  that  his 
ship  would  require  some  repairs,  to  enable  her  to 
face  the  foe  ;  he  repaired,  therefore,  accompanied 
by  several  of  his  prizes,  to  the  Island  of  Nooaji- 
eevah,  one  of  the  Washington  group,  discovered  by 
a  captain  Ingraham  of  Boston.  Here  ho  landed, 
took  formal  possession  of  the  island  in  the  name  of 
the  government  of  the  United  States,  and  gave  it  the 

name  of  Madison's  Island.     He  found  it  large,  pop- 
17 


130  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

/ 

ulous  and  fertile,  abounding  with  the  necessaries  of 
life ;  the  natives  in  the  vicinity  of  the  harbour  which 
he  had  chosen  received  him  in  the  most  friendly 
manner,  and  supplied  him  with  abundance  of  provi- 
sions. During  his  stay  at  this  place  he  had  several 
encounters  with  some  hostile  tribes  on  the  island, 
whom  he  succeeded  in  reducing  to  subjection. 

Having  calked  and  completed  overhaled  the  ship, 
made  for  her  a  new  set  of  water  casks/  and  taken  on 
board  from  the  prizes  provisions  and  stores  for  up- 
wards of  four  months,  he  sailed  for  the  coast  of  Chili 
on  the  12th  December,  1813.  Previous  to  sailing 
he  secured  the  three  prizes  which  had  accompanied 
him,  under  the  guns  of  a  battery  erected  for  their 
protection,  and  left  them  in  charge  of  lieutenant 
Gamble  of  the  marines  and  twenty-one  men,  with  or- 
ders to  proceed  to  Valparaiso,  after  a  certain  period. 

After  cruising  on  the  coast  of  Chili  without  suc- 
cess, he  proceeded  to  Valparaiso,  in  hopes  of  falling 
in  with  commodore  Hillyar,  or,  if  disappointed  in  this 
wish,  of  capturing  some  merchant  ships  said  to  be  ex- 
pected from  England.  While  at  anchor  at  this  port, 
commodore  Hillyar  arrived,  having  long  been  search- 
ing in  vain  for  the  Essex,  and  almost  despairing  of  ever 
meeting  with  her.  Contrary  to  the  expectations  of 
captain  Porter,  however,  commodore  Hillyar,  besides 
his  own  frigate,  superior  in  itself  to  the  Essex,  was 
accompanied  by  the  Cherub  sloop  of  war,  strongly 
armed  and  manned.  These  ships,  having  been  sent 
out  expressly  to  seek  for  the  Essex,  were  in  prime 
order  and  equipment,  with  picked  crews,  and  hoisted 


NAVAL    WATTLES.  131 

flags  bearing  the  motto  "  God  and  country,  British 
sailors'  best  rights  :  traitors  offend  both."  This  was 
in  opposition  to  captain  Porter's  motto  of  "  Free 
trade  and  sailors'  rights,"  and  the  latter  part  of  it 
suggested  doubtless,  by  errour  industriously  cherish- 
ed, that  our  crews  are  chiefly  -composed  of  English 
seamen.  In  reply  to  this  motto  captain  Porter  foist- 
ed at  his  mizzen,  u  God,  our  country,  and  liberty  : 
tyrants  offend  them."  On  entering  the  harbour  the 
Phoebe  fell  foul  of  the  Essex  in  such  manner  as  to 
lay  her  at  the  mercy  of  captain  Porter  ;  out  of  re- 
spect, however,  to  the  neutrality  of  the  port,  he  did 
not  take  advantage  of  her  exposed  situation.  This 
forbearance  was  afterwards  acknowledged  by  com- 
modore Hilly ar,  and  he  passed  his  word  of  honour 
to  observe  like  conduct  while  they  remained  in  port. 
They  continued  therefore,  while  in  harbour  and  on 
shore  in  the  mutual  exchange  of  courtesies  and  kind 
offices  that  should  characterise  the  private  intercourse 
between  civilized  and  generous  enemies.  And  the 
crews  of  the  respective  ships  often  mingled  together 
and  passed  nautical  jokes  and  pleasantries  from  one 
to  the  other. 

On  getting  their  provisions  on  board,  the  Phoebe 
and  Cherub  went  off  the  port,  where  they  cruised 
for  six  weeks,  rigorously  blockading  captain  Porter. 
Their  united  force  amounted  to  eighty-one  guns  and 
five  hundred  men,  in  addition  to  which  they  took  on 
board  the  crew  of  an  English  letter  of  marque  lying 
in  port.  The  force  of  the  Essex  consisted  of  but 
forty-six  guns,  all  of  which,  excepting  six  long 


132  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

twelves,  were  twenty-two  pound  carronades,  only 
serviceable  in  close  fighting.  Her  crew,  having  been 
much  reduced  by  the  manning  of  prizes,  amounted  to 
but  two  hundred  and  fifty-five  men.  The  Essex 
junior  being  only  intended  as  a  storeship,  mounted 
ten  eighteen  pound  carronades  and  ten  short  sixes 
with  a  complement  of  only  sixty  men. 

This  vast  superiority  of  force  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy  prevented  all  chance  of  encounter,  on  any 
thing  like  equal  terms,  unless  by  express  covenant 
between  the  commanders.  Captain  Porter,  there- 
fore, endeavoured  repeatedly  to  provoke  a  challenge, 
(the  inferiority  of  his  frigate  to  the  Phoebe  not  jus- 
tifying him  in  making  the  challenge  himself,)  but 
without  effect.  He  tried  frequently  also  to  bring  the 
Phoebe  into  single  action ;  but  this  commodore  Hillyar 
warily  avoided,  and  always  kept  his  ships  so  close 
together  as  to  frustrate  captain  Porter's  attempts. 

Finding  it  impossible  to  bring  the  enemy  to  equal 
combat ;  and  fearing  the  arrival  of  additional  force, 
which  he  understood  was  on  the  way,  captain  Porter 
determined  to  put  to  sea  the  first  opportunity  that 
should  present.  A  rendezvous  was  accordingly  ap- 
pointed for  the  Essex  junior,  and  having  ascertained 
by  repeated  trials  that  the  Essex  was  a  superior  sail- 
er to  either  of  the  blockading  ships,  it  was  agreed 
that  she  should  let  the  enemy  chase  her  off;  thereby 
giving  the  Essex  junior  an  opportunity  of  escaping. 

On  the  next  day,  the  28th  of  March,  the  wind 
came  on  to  blow  fresh  from  the  southward,  and  the 
Essex  parted  her  larboard  .cable  and  dragged  hci 


NAVAL   BATTLES.  133 

Starboard  anchor  directly  out  to  sea.     Not  a  moment 
was  lost  in  getting  sail  on  the  ship  ;  but  perceiving 
that  the   enemy  was  close  in  with  the  point  form- 
ing the  west  side  of  the  bay,  and  that  there  was  a 
possibility  of  passing  to  windward,  and  escaping  to 
sea  by  superior  sailing,  captain  Porter  resolved  to 
hazard  the  attempt.     He  accordingly  took  in  his  top- 
gallant-sails and  braced  up  for  the  purpose,  but  most 
unfortunately  on  rounding  the  point  a  heavy  squall 
struck  the  ship  and  carried  away  her  main-top-mast, 
precipitating  the  men  who  were  aloft-into  the  sea, 
who  were  drowned.     Both  ships  now  gave  chase,  and 
the  crippled  state  of  his  ship  left  captain  Porter  no  al- 
ternative but  to  endeavour  to  regain  the  port.     Find- 
ing it  imposiblc  to  get  back  to  the  common  anchor- 
age, he  ran  close  into  a  small  bay  about  three  quar- 
ters of  a  mile  to  leeward  of  the  battery,  on  the  east 
of  the  harbour,  and  let  go  his  anchor  within  pistol 
shot  of  the  shore.     Supposing  the  enemy  would,  as 
formerly,  respect  the  neutrality  of  the  place,  he  con- 
sidered himself  secure,  and  thought  only  of  repairing 
the  damages  he  had  sustained.     The  wary  and  men- 
acing approach  of  the  hostile  ships,  however,  display- 
.  ing  their  motto  flags  and  having  jacks  at  all  their 
masts'  heads,   soon  showed  him  the  real  danger  of 
his  situation.     With  all  possible  despatch  he  got  his 
ship  ready  for  action,  and  endeavoured  to  get  a  spring 
on  his  cable,   but  had  not  succeeded,  when,  at  fifty- 
four  minutes  past  three  P.  M.  the  enemy  commenced 
an  attack. 


134  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

\ 

At  first  the  Phoebe  lay  herself  under  his  stern  and 
the   Cherub  on  his  starboard  bow;  but  the  latter 
soon  finding  herself  exposed  to  a  hot  fire,  bore  up  and 
ran  under  his  stern  also,  where  both  ships  kept  up  a 
severe  and  raking  fire.     Captain   Porter   succeeded 
three  different  times  in  getting  springs  on  his  cables, 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  his  broadside  to  bear  on  the 
enemy,  but  they  were  as  often  shot  away  by  the  ex- 
cessive fire  to  which  he  was  exposed.     He  was  ob- 
liged, therefore,  to  rely  for  defence  against  this  tre- 
mendous attack  merely  on  three  long  twelve  pound- 
ers, which  he  had  ran  out  of  the  stern  ports  ;  and 
which  were  worked  with  such  bravery  and  skill,  as 
in  half  an  hour  to  do  great  injury  to  both  the  enemy's 
ships,  and  induce  them  to  hale  off  and  repair  dama- 
ges.    It  was  evidently  the  intention  of  commodore 
Hillyar  to  risk  nothing  from  the  daring  courage  of 
his  antagonist,  but  to  take  the    Essex  at  as  cheap  a 
rate  as  possible.     All  his  manoeuvres  were  deliberate 
and  wary ;  he  saw  his  antagonist  completely  at  his 
mercy,  and  prepared  to  cut  him  up  in  the  safest  and 
surest  manner.     In  the  mean  time  the  situation  of 
the  Essex  was  galling  and  provoking  in  the  extreme ; 
crippled  and  shattered,  with  many  killed  and  wound- 
ed, she  lay  awaiting  the  convenience  of  the  enemy, 
to  renew  the  scene  of  slaughter,  with  scarce  a  hope 
of  escape  or  revenge.     Her  brave  crew,  however,  in 
place  of  being  disheartened,  were  aroused  to  despera- 
tion, and  by   hoisting  ensigns  in  their  rigging,  and 
jacks  in  different  parts  of  the  ship,  evinced  their  de- 
fiance and  determination  to  hold  out  to  the  last. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  135 

The  enemy  having  repaired  his  damages,  now 
placed  himself,  with  both  his  ships,  on  the  starboard 
quarter  of  the  Essex,  out  of  reach  of  her  carronades, 
and  where  her  stern  guns  could  not  be  brought  to 
bear.  Here  he  kept  up  a  most  destructive  fire,  which 
it  was  not  in  captain  Porter's  power  to  return ;  the 
latter,  therefore,  saw  no  hope  of  injuring  him  with- 
out getting  under  way  and  becoming  the  assailant. 
From  the  mangled  state  of  his  rigging,  he  could  set 
no  other  sail  than  the  flying  jib  ;  this  he  caused  to  be 
hoisted,  cut  his"  cable,  and  ran  down  on  both  ships, 
with  an  intention  of  laying  the  Phoebe  on  board. 

For  a  short  time  he  was  enabled  to  close  with  the 
enemy,  and  the  firing  on  both  sides  was  tremendous. 
The  decks  of  the  Essex  were  strewed  with  dead, 
and  her  cockpit  filled  with  wounded  ;  she  had  been 
several  times  on  fire,  and  was  in  fact  a  perfect 
wreck  ;  still  a  feeble  hope  sprung  up  that  she  might 
be  saved,  in  consequence  of  the  Cherub  being  com- 
pelled to  hale  oflf  by  her  crippled  state  ;  she  did  not 
return  to  close  action  again,  but  kept  up  a  dis- 
tant firing  with  her  long  guns.  The  disabled  state 
of  the  Essex,  however,  did  not  permit  her  to  take 
advantage  of  this  circumstance  ;  for  want  of  sail  she 
was  unable  to  keep  at  close  quarters  with  the  Phoebe 
who,  edging  off,  chose  the  distance  which  best  suited 
her  long  guns,  and  kept  up  a  tremendous  fire,  which 
made  dreadful  havock  among  our  crew.  Many  of  the 
guns  of  the  Essex  were  rendered  useless,  and  many 
had  their  whole  crews  destroyed — they  were  man- 
ned from  those  that  were  disabled,  and  one  gun  in 


136  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

particular  was  three  times  manned  ;  fifteen  men 
were  slain  at  it  in  the  course  of  the  action,  though 
the  captain  of  it  escaped  with  only  a  slight  wound. 
Captain  Porter  now  gave  up  all  hope  of  closing 
with  the  enemy,  but  finding  the  wind  favourable,  de- 
termined to  run  his  ship  on  shore,  land  the  crew,  and 
destroy  her.  He  had  approached  within  musket 
shot  of  the  shore,  and  had  every  prospect  of  succeed- 
ing, when,  in  an  instant,  the  wind  shifted  from  the 
land  and  drove  her  down  upon  the  Phoebe,  exposing 
her  again  to  a  dreadful  raking  fire.  The  ship  was 
now  totally  unmanageable ;  yet  as  her  head  was  toward 
the  enemy,  and  he  to  leeward,  captain  Porter  again 
perceived  a  faint  hope  of  boarding.  At  this  moment 
lieutenant  Downes,  of  the  Essex  junior,  came  on 
board  to  receive  orders,  expecting  that  captain  Por- 
ter would  soon  be  a  prisoner.  His  services  could  be 
of  no  avail  in  the  deplorable  state  of  the  Essex,  and 
finding  from  the  enemy's  putting  his  helm  up,  that 
the  last  attempt  at  boarding  would  not  succeed,  cap- 
tain Porter  directed  him,  after  he  had  been  ten  min- 
utes on  board,  to  return  to  his  own  ship,  to  be  prepared 
for  defending  and  destroying  her  in  case  of  attack. 
He  took  with  him  several  of  the  wounded,  leaving 
three  of  his  boat's  crew  on  board  to  make  room  for 
them.  The  Cherub  kept  up  a  hot  fire  on  him  during 
his  return.  The  slaughter  on  board  of  the  Essex 
now  became  horrible  ;  the  enemy  continued  to  rake 
her,  while  she  was  unable  to  bring  a  gun  to  bear  in 
return.  Still  her  commander,  with  an  obstinacy 
that  bordered  on  desperation,  persisted  in  the*  une-  i 


NAVAL     BATTLES. 

qual  and  almost  hopeless  conflict.  Every  expedient 
that  a  fertile  and  inventive  mind  could  suggest  was 
resorted  to,  in  the  forlorn  hope  that  they  might  yet 
be  enabled  by  some  lucky  chance  to  escape  from  the 
grasp  of  the  foe.  A  halser  was  bent  to  the  sheet 
anchor,  and  the  anchor  cut  from  the  bows,  to 
bring  the  ship's  head  round.  This  succeeded ;  the 
broadside  of  the  Essex  was  again  brought  to  bear ; 
and  as  the  enemy  was  much  crippled  and  unable  to 
hold  his  own,  captain  Porter  thought  she  might  drift 
out  of  gun  shot  before  she  discovered  that  he  had 
anchored.  The  halser,  however,  unfortunately  part- 
ed, and  with  it  failed  the  last  lingering  hope  of  the 
Essex.  The  ship  had  taken  fire  several  times  during 
the  action,  but  at  this  moment  her  situation  was  aw- 
ful. She  was  on  fire  both  forward  and  aft;  the 
flames  were  bursting  up  each  hatchway ;  a  large 
quantity  of  powder  below  exploded,  and  word  was 
given  that  the  fire  was  near  the  magazine.  Thus 
surrounded  by  horrours,  without  any  chance  of  sav- 
ing the  ship  captain  Porter  turned  his  attention  to  res- 
cuing as  many  of  his  brave  companions  as  possible. 
Finding  his  distance  from  the  shore  did  not  exceed 
three  quarters  of  a  mile,  he  hoped  many  would  be 
able  to  save  themselves  should  the  ship  blow  up. 
His  boats  had  been  cut  to  pieces  by  the  enemy's  shot, 
but  he  advised  such  as  could  swim  to  jump  overboard 
and  make  for  shore.  Some  reached  it — some  were 
taken  by  the  enemy,  and  some  perished  in  the  at- 
tempt ;  but  most  of  this  loyal  and  gallant  crew  pre- 
18 


138  NAVAL     BATTLES 

ferred  sharing  the  fate  of  their  ship  and  their  com- 
mander. 

Those  who  remained  on  board  now  endeavoured 
to  extinguish  the  flames,  and  having  succeeded,  went 
again  to  the  guns  and  kept  up  a  firing  for  a  few  min- 
utes ;  but  the  crew  had  by  this  time  become  so  weak- 
ened that  all  further  resistance  was  in  vain.     Cap- 
tain Porter  summoned  a  consultation  of  the  officers 
of  divisions,  but  was  surprised  to  find  only  acting 
lieutenant  Stephen  Decatur  M'Knight    remaining  ; 
of  the  others  some  had  been  killed,  others  knocked 
overboard,  and  others  carried  below  disabled  by  se- 
vere wounds.     The  accounts  from  every  part  of  the 
ship  were  deplorable  in  the   extreme  ;  representing 
her  in  the  most  shattered  and  crippled  condition,  in 
imminent  danger  of  sinking,  and  so  crowded  with  the 
wounded  that  even  the  birth  deck  could  contain  no 
more,  and  many  were  killed  while  under  the  surgeon's 
hands.  .  In  the  mean  while  the  enemy,  in  consequence 
of  the  smoothness  of  the  water  and  his  secure  dis 
tance,  was  enabled  to  keep  up  a  deliberate  and  con- 
stant fire,  aiming  with  coolness  and  certainty  as  if 
firing  at  a  target,  and  hitting  the  hull  at  every  shot. 
At  length,  utterly  despairing  of  saving  the  ship,  cap- 
tain Porter  was  compelled,  at  twenty  minutes  past 
six  P.  M.  to  give  the  painful  order  to  strike  the  col- 
ours.    It  is  probable  the  enemy  did  not  perceive  that 
the  ship  had   surrendered,   for  he   continued  firing ; 
several  men  were  killed  and  wounded  in  different 
parts  of  the  ship,  and  captain  Porter  thinking  he  in- 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


139 


140  NAVAL  BATTLES. 

tended  to  show  no  quarter,  was  about  to  rehoist  his 
flag  and  to  fight  until  he  sunk,  when  the  enemy  de- 
sisted his  attack  ten  minutes  after  the  surrender. 

The  loss  of  the  Essex  is  a  sufficient  testimony  of 
the  desperate  bravery  with  which  she  was  defended. 
Out  of  two  hundred  and  fifty-five  men  which  com- 
prised her  crew,  fifty-eight  were  killed ;  thirty-nine 
wounded  severely  ;  twenty-seven  slightly  ;  and  thir- 
ty-one missing,  making  in  all  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
four.  She  was  completely  cut  to  pieces,  and  so 
covered  with  the  dead  and  dying,  with  mangled 
limbs,  with  brains  and  blood,  and  all  the  ghastly  im- 
ages of  pain  and  death,  that  the  officer  who  came 
on  board  to  take  possession  of  her,  though  accustom- 
ed to  scenes  of  slaughter,  was  struck  with  sickening 
horrour,  and  fainted  at  the  shocking  spectacle. 

Thousands  of  the  inhabitants  of  Valparaiso  were 
spectators  of  the  battle,  covering  the  neighbouring 
heights  ;  for  it  was  fought  so  near  the  shore  that 
some  of  the  shot  even  struck  among  the  citizens, 
who  in  the  eagerness  of  their  curiosity,  had  ventur- 
ed down  upon  the  beach.  Touched  by  the  forlorn 
situation  of  the  Essex,  and  filled  with  admiration  at 
the  unflagging  spirit  and  persevering  bravery  of  her 
commander  and  crew,  a  generous  anxiety  ran 
throughout  the  multitude  for  their  fate :  bursts  of 
delight  arose  when,  by  any  vicissitude  of  battle,  or 
prompt  expedient,  a  chance  seemed  to  turn  up  in 
their  favour,  and  the  eager  spectators  were  seen  to 
wring  their  hands,  and  uttered  groans  of  sympathy, 
when  the  transient  hope  was  defeated,  and  the  gal- 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  141 

lant  little  frigate  once  more  became  an  unresisting 
object  of  deliberate  slaughter. 

Though,  from  the  distance  and  positions  which  the 
enemy  chose,  this  battle  was  chiefly  fought  on  our 
part  by  six  twelve  pounders  only,  yet  great  damage 
was  done  to  the  assailing  ships.  Their  masts  and 
yards  were  badly  crippled,  their  hulls  mnch  cut  up ; 
the  Phoebe,  especially,  received  eighteen  twelve 
pound  shot  below  her  water  line,  some  three  feet  under 
water.  Their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  not 
ascertained,  but  must  have  been  severe ;  the  first 
lieutenant  of  the  Phosbe  was  killed,  and  captain 
Tucker,  of  the  Cherub,  was  severely  wounded.  It 
was  with  some  difficulty  that  the  Phoebe  and  the 
Essex  could  be  kept  afloat  until  they  anchored  the 
next  morning  in  the  port  of  Valparaiso. 

Much  indignation  has  been  expressed  against  com- 
modore Hillyar  for  his  violation  of  the  laws  of  na- 
tions, and  of  his  private  agreement  with  captain 
Porter,  by  attacking  him  in  the  neutral  waters  of  Val- 
paraiso. His  cautious  attack  with  a  vastly  superior 
force,  on  a  crippled  ship,  which,  relying  on  his  for- 
bearance, had  placed  herself  in  a  most  defenceless 
situation,  and  which  for  six  weeks  previous  had  of- 
fered him  fair  fight,  on  advantageous  terms,  though  it 
may  reflect  great  credit  on  his  prudence,  yet  certain- 
ly furnishes  no  triumph  to  a  brave  and  generous  mind. 

Captain  Porter  and  his  crew  were  paroled,  and 
permitted  to  return  to  the  United  States  in  the  Es- 
sex junior,  her  armament  being  previously  taken  out. 
On  arriving  off  the  port  of  New  York,  they  were 


142  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

overhaled  by  the  Saturn  razee,  the  authority  of  com- 
modore Hillyar  to  grant  a  passport  was  questioned, 
and  the  Essex  junior  detained.  Captain  Porter  then 
told  the  boarding  officer  that  he  gave  up  his  parole, 
and  considered  himself  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  as  such 
should  use  all  means  of  escape.  In  consequence;  of 
this  threat  the  Essex  junior  was  ordered  to  remain 
all  night  under  the  lee  of  the  Saturn,  but  the  next 
morning  captain  Porter  put  off  in  his  boat,  though 
thirty  miles  from  shore;  and,  notwithstanding  he 
was  pursued  by  the  Saturn,  effected  his  escape,  and 
landed  safely  on  Long  Island.  His  reception  in  tho 
United  States  has  been  such  as  his  great  services  and 
distinguished  valour  deserved.  The  various  interest- 
ing and  romantick  rumours  that  had  reached  this 
country  concerning  him,  during  his  cruise  in  the  Pa- 
cifick,  had  excited  the  curiosity  of  the  public  to  see 
this  modern  Sinbad.  On  arriving  in  New  York  his 
carriage  was  surrounded  by  the  populace,  who  took 
out  the  horses,  and  dragged  him,  with  shouts  and 
acclamations,  to  his  lodgings. 


THE   ALLIGATOR. 


TOWARDS  the  latter  part  of  January,  1814,  the 
United  States  schooner  Alligator,  mounting  eight  or 
ten  guns,  with  a  complement  of  forty  men,  was  at- 
tacked in  Stono  river  (six  miles  south  of  the  channel 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  143 

of  Charleston,  S.  C.)  by  six  boats  from  the  enemy's 
squadron  off  the  mouth  of  the  river,  having  on  board 
one  hundred  and  forty  men,  and  succeeded  in  beat- 
ing them  off,  after  a  warm  action  of  thirty  minutes, 
in  which  the  enemy  suffered  very  severely.  The  loss 
on  board  the  Alligator  was  two  killed  and  two  wound- 
ed. Great  credit  is  due  to  her  commander,  sailing- 
master  Dent,  and  crew,  for  defeating  a  force  so  great- 
ly superior  in  numbers.  The  Alligator  was  after- 
wards lost  in  a  severe  gale,  and  twenty-three  of 
her  men  drowned. 


CRUISE  OF  COMMODORE  RODGERS. 

ON  the  18th  of  February,  commodore  Rodgers 
arrived  at  Sandy  Hook,  off  New  York,  after  a  cruise 
of  seventy-five  days,  during  which  he  captured  a 
number  of  British  merchant  vessels,  and  narrowly 
escaped  at  different  times,  a  very  superior  force  of 
the  enemy. 


PEACOCK  AND  EPERVIER. 

ON  the  29th  of  April,  in  latitude  27  47,  longitude 
80  9,  the  United  States  sloop  of  war  Peacock,  cap- 
tain Warrington,  of  twenty  guns  and  one  hundred 
and  sixty  men,  captured,  after  an  action  of  forty-two 


144 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  145 

minutes,  the  British  brig  Epervier  of  eighteen  guns 
and  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  men,  having  on 
board  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  dollars  in 
specie.  The  loss  on  board  the  Epervier  was  eight 
killed  and  thirteen  wounded ;  among  the  latter  was 
her  first  lieutenant,  who  lost  an  arm  and  received  a 
severe  splinter  wound  on  the  hip.  Not  a  man  in  the 
Peacock  was  killed,  and  only  two  wounded  ;  and  the 
injury  sustained  by  the  vessel  was  so  trifling  that  in 
fifteen  minutes  after  the  Epervier  struck,  she  was 
ready  for  another  action. 

When  the  enemy  struck,  he  had  five  feet  of  water 
in  his  hold,  his  main-top-mast  was  over  the  side,  his 
main  boom  shot  away,  his  foremast  cut  nearly  in  two 
and  tottering,  his  bowsprit  badly  wounded,  and  for- 
ty-five shot  holes  in  his  hull,  twenty  of  which  were 
within  a  foot  of  his  water  line.  By  great  exertions, 
the  Epervier  was  got  in  sailing  order  in  the  course 
of  the  day. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  the  Epervier  arrived  at  Sa- 
vannah ;  and  on  the  4th,  the  Peacock  reached  the 
ime  place,  after  having  been  separated  from  her 
wrize  and  chased  for  four  or  five  days  by  a  superior 
force  of  enemy's  vessels. 

The  Peacock  shortly  sailed  again,  and  arrived  at 
New  York  toward  the  latter  part  of  October,  from 
a  cruise  of  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  days,  hav- 
ing made  fourteen  prizes,  valued  at  four  hundred  and 
ninety-four  thousand  two  hundred  and  twenty-two 
dollars ;  twelve  of  the  prizes  were  burnt  or  sunk, 
ind  two  made  cartels  for  prisoners. 
19 


146  NAVAL     BATTLES. 


CRUISE  OF  THE  WASP.— CAPTURE  OF  THE  REIN- 
DEER. 

ON  the  1st  of  May,  the  United  States  sloop  of 
war  Wasp,  of  eighteen  guns  and  one  hundred  and 
seventy-three  men,  captain  Blakely  commajider,  sail- 
ed from  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  on  a  cruise,  and  on 
the  28th  of  June,  in  latitude  48  36,  longitude  1115 
after  having  made  several  captures,  she  fell  in  with 
engaged,  and  after  an  action  of  nineteen  minutes,  cap- 
tured his  Brittanick  majesty's  sloop  of  war  Reindeer, 
William  Manners,  esquire,  commander.  The  Rein- 
deer mounted  sixteen  twenty-four  pound  carronades, 
two  long  six  or  nine  pounders,  and  a  shifting  twelve 
pound  carronade,  with  a  complement  on  board  of  one 
hundred  and  eighteen  men.  She  was  literally  cut 
to  pieces  in  a  line  with  her  ports  ;  her  upper  works, 
boats  and  spare  spars  were  one  complete  wreck,  and 
a  breeze  springing  up  the  day  after  the  action,  her 
foremast  went  by  the  board ;  when  the  prisoners 
having  been  taken  on  board  the  Wasp,  she  was  set 
on  fire  and  soon  blew  up. 

The  loss  on  board  the  Reindeer  was  twenty-three 
killed  and  forty  two  wounded,  her  captain  being 
among  the  former.  On  board  the  Wasp  five  were 
killed  and  twenty-one  wounded.  More  than  one 
half  of  the  wounded  enemy  were,  in  consequence  of 
the  severity  and  extent  of  their  wounds,  put  on 
board  a  Portuguese  brig  and  sent  to  England Th* 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  147 

loss  of  the  Americans,  although  not  as  severe  as  that 
of  the  British,  was  owing,  in  a  degree,  to  the  prox- 
imity of  the  two  vessels  during  the  action,  and  the 
extreme  smoothness  of  the  sea,  but  chiefly  in  repel- 
ling boarders. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  the  Wasp  put  into  L'Orient, 
France,  after  capturing  an  additional  number  of  priz- 
es, where  she  remained  until  the  27th  of  August, 
when  she  again  sailed  on  a  cruise.  On  the  1st  of 
September  she  fell  in  with  the  British  sloop  of  war 
Avon,  of  twenty  guns,  commanded  by  captain  Abuth- 
not,  and  after  an  action  of  fort}7-five  minutes,  com- 
pelled her  to  surrender,  her  crew  being  nearly  all 
killed  or  wounded.  The  guns  were  then  ordered  to 
be  secured,  and  a  boat  lowered  from  the  Wasp  in 
order  to  take  possession  of  the  prize.  In  the  act  of 
lowering  the  boat,  a  second  enemy's  vessel  was  dis- 
covered astern  and  standing  towards  the  Wasp. 
Captain  Blakely  immediately  ordered  his  crew  to 
their  quarters,  prepared  every  thing  for  action,  and 
awaited  her  coming  up.  In  a  few  minutes  after,  two 
additional  sail  were  discovered  bearing  down  upon 
the  Wasp.  Captain  Blakely  stood  off  with  the  ex- 
pectation of  drawing  the  first  from  its  companions ; 
but  in  this  he  was  disappointed.  She  continued  to 
approach  until  she  came  close  to  the  stern  of  the 
Wasp,  when  she  haled  by  the  wind,  fired  her  broad- 
side, (which  injured  the  Wasp  but  trifling,)  and  re- 
traced her  steps  to  join  her  consorts.  Captain  Blake- 
ly was  now  necessitated  to  abandon  the  Avon,  which 
had  by  this  time  become  a  total  wreck,  and  which 


148  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

soon  after  Stmk,  the  surviving  part  of  her  crew  hav- 
ing barely  time  to  escape  to  the  other  enemy's  ves- 
sels. 

On  board  the  Avon  forty  were  killed  and  sixty 
wounded.  The  loss  sustained  by  the  Wasp  was  two 
killed  and  one  wounded. 

The  Wasp  afterwards  continued  her  cruise,  mak- 
ing great  havock  among  English  merchant  vessels 
and  privateers,  destroying  an  immense  amount  of 
the  enemy's  property.  From  the  1st  of  May  until 
the  20th  of  September,  she  had  captured  fifteen  ves- 
sels, most  of  which  she  destroyed. 


LOSS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT. 

On  the  14th  of  January,  the  frigate  President,  the 
command  of  which  had  been  assigned  to  commodore 
Decatur,  sailed  from  New  York  on  a  cruise.  Owing 
to  a  mistake  of  the  pilots,  the  ship,  in  going  out, 
grounded  on  the  bar,  where  she  continued  to  strike 
heavy  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  Several  of  her  rudder 
braces  being  broken,  and  other  material  injury  sus- 
tained, commodore  Decatur  thought  it  advisable  to 
return  to  port,  which,  however,  he  was  prevented 
from  doing  by  the  strong  westerly  winds.  Having 
succeeded  in  forcing  her  over  the  bar,  he  shaped  his 
course  along  the  shore  of  Long  Island  for  fifty  miles, 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  149 

and  then  s.  E.  by  E.  At  five  o'clock,  three  ships 
were  discovered  ahead.  The  commodore  passed 
two  miles  to  the  northward  of  them.  At  daylight 
he  discovered  four  ships  in  chase,  one  on  each  quar- 
ter, and  two  astern,  the  leading  ship  being  a  razee, 
which  commenced  a  fire  upon  the  President,  but 
without  effect.  At  meridian  he  found  that  he  in- 
creased his  distance  from  the  razee  ;  but  the  next 
ship  astern,  which  was  the  Endymion,  mounting  fifty 
guns,  twenty-four  pounders,  on  the  maindeck,  had 
gained  and  continued* to  gain  upon  him  considerably. 
All  hands  were  occupied  in  lightening  the  ship  by 
starting  water  cutting  away  anchors,  throwing  over- 
board provisions,  cables.,  spars,  boats,  and  every  arti- 
cle that  could  be  got  at,  and  keeping  the  sails  wet  from 
the  royals  down.  At  three  o'clock  the  enemy  was 
joined  by  a  brig,  and  was  coming  up  with  the  Presi- 
dent rapidly.  The  Endymion  had  approached  with- 
in gunshot,  and  commenced  a  fire  with  her  bow  guns, 
which  was  returned  from  the  stern  of  the  President. 
At  five  o'clock,  she  obtained  a  position  on  the  star- 
board quarter,  within  half  point  blank  shot,  on  which 
commodore  Decatur  could  not  bring  either  his  stern 
or  quarter  guns  to  bear.  He  remained  in  this  posi- 
tion for  half  an  hour,  hoping  that  the  enemy  would 
close  with  him  on  his  broadside,  in  which  case  he 
had  prepared  his  men  to  board.  The  enemy,  how- 
ever, kept  his  position,  and  every  fire  cut  some  of  the 
sails  and  rigging  of  the  President.  In  was  now  dusk, 
and  commodore  Decatur  altered  his  course,  for  the 
purpose  of  bringing  the  enemy  abeam  ;  and  although 


1,50  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

their  ships  astern  were  drawing  up  fast,  he  felt  satis- 
fied he  should  be  able  to  throw  his  opponent  out  of 
the  combat  before  they  could  come  up  ;  and  was  not 
without  hopes  of  escaping.  The  enemy,  however, 
kept  off  at  the  same  instant.  They  continued  engag- 
ed, steering  south,  with  steering  sails  set,  two  hours 
and  a  half,  when  the  Endymion  was  completely  dis- 
mantled, and  dropped  entirely  out  of  the  action. 
The  other  ships  of  the  squadron  being  in  sight  and 
almost  within  gunshot,  commodore  Decatur  was  of 
course  compelled  to  abandon  her.  He  then  resumed 
his  former  course,  to  avoid,  if  possible,  the  remainder 
of  the  squadron,  which  he  continued  till  eleven 
o'clock.  At  this  time  two  fresh  ships  of  the  enemy, 
the  Pomone  and  Tenedos,  came  up.  The  Pomone 
opened  her  fire  upon  the  larboard  bow,  within  mus- 
ket shot ;  the  Tenedos,  about  two  cables  length 
astern,  taking  a  raking  position  on  the  quarter  of  the 
President.  The  other  ships  of  the  squadron,  except 
the  Endymion,  were  within  gunshot.  Thus  situated 
with  about  one  fifth  of  his  crew  killed  and  wounded, 
his  ship  crippled,  and  more  than  a  four-fold  force  op- 
posed to  him,  without  a  chance  of  escape  left,  com- 
modore Decatur  thought  it  his  duty  to  surrender. 

The  loss  on  board  the  President  was  twenty- 
four  killed  and  fifty-five  wounded.  Among  the  for- 
mer were  lieutenants  Babbit,  Hamilton  and  Howell. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  not  ascertained.  The 
Endymion  had  on  board  in  addition  to  her  own  crew, 
one  lieutenant,  one  master's  mate  and  fifty  seamen, 
belonging  to  the  Saturn,  and  when  the  action  ceas- 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  151 

ed,  was  left  motionless  and  unmanageable,  until  she 
bent  new  sails,  rove  new  rigging,  and  fished  her 
spars ;  nor  did  she  join  the  squadron  till  six  hours 
after  the  action,  and  three  hours  after  the  surrender 
of  the  President. 

Commodore  Decatur,  and  a  part  of  his  crew  were 
put  on  board  the  Endymion,  and  was  carried  to  Ber- 
muda. After  remaining  on  the  Island  a  few  days, 
he  was  paroled,  and  sailed  for  the  United  States  in 
the  British  frigate  Narcissus. 

The  ships,  composing  the  squadron  in  this  action, 
were  the  Majestic,  Eudymion,  Pomone,  Tenedos, 
and  Dispatch. 

In  his  letter  to  the  secretary  of  the  navy,  commo- 
dore Decatur  says,  "  It  is  with  emotions  of  pride  I 
bear  testimony  to  the  gallantry  and  steadiness  of 
every  officer  and  man  I  had  the  honour  to  command 
on  this  occasion  :  and  I  feel  satisfied,  that  the  fact  of 
their  having  beaten  a  force  when  equal  to  themselves, 
in  the  presence,  and  almost  under  the  guns  of  so 
vastly  superior  a  force,  when,  too,  it  was  almost  self- 
evident,  that,  whatever  their  exertions  might  be,  they 
must  ultimately  be  captured,  will  be  taken  as  evi- 
dence of  what  they  would  have  performed,  had  the 
force  opposed  to  them  been  in  any  degree  equal." 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  CYANE  AND  LEVANT. 

ON   the  evening  of  the   20th  February,   captain 
Stewart,  of  the  United  States  frigate  Constitution, 


152  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

off  the  Island  of  Madeira,  fell  in  with  his  Britan-- 
nick  majesty's  ships  of  war  Cyane  and  Levant,  when 
a  spirited  action  commenced. — In  forty  minutes  the 
Cyane  struck  her  colours,  being  much  cut  up,  and 
the  Levant  endeavoured  to  escape.  The  Constitu- 
tion, after  manning  the  prize,  pursued  the  Levant ; 
and  in  half  an  hour  came  up  with  her,  when  she  soon 
surrendered.  -4 

The  Levant  mounted  twenty-one  guns,  eighteen 
of  which  were  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  and  her 
crew  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  officers,  sea- 
men and  marines,  commanded  by  captain  Douglass. 
Her  loss  in  killed  was  twenty-three,  and  wounded 
sixteen. 

The  Cyane  mounted  thirty-four  guns,  (twenty- 
two  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  ten  eighteen  pound 
do.  and  two  long  nine  pounders,)  and  her  crew  con- 
sisted of  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight  officers,  seamen 
and  marines,  commanded  by  captain  Falcon.  Her 
loss  in  killed  was  twelve,  and  wounded  twenty-six. 

The  Constitution  received  but  little  injury  ;  her 
loss  in  killed  was  three,  and  wounded  twelve. 

On  the  9th  of  March  the  Constitution  with  her 
two  prizes  anchored  off  the  Isle  of  May,  (one  of  the 
Cape-de-Verd  Islands.) — On  the  10th  she  got  under 
way,  and  made  sail  for  St.  Jago,  where  she  anchor- 
ed. On  the  12th,  captain  Stewart  discovered  three 
British  frigates  standing  for  Port  Pray  a ;  and  consid- 
ering the  little  respect  heretofore  paid  by  British 
vessels  to  neutral  waters,  he  deemed  it  expedient 
to  get  under  way.  Signals  were  accordingly  made 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


163 


154  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

for  this  purpose,  when  the  Portuguese  opened  a  fire 
upon  captain  Stewart  from  several  of  their  batteries 
and  the  British  frigates  discovering  the  movements 
of  our  vessels,  gave  immediate  chase.  After  contin- 
uing the  chase  for  three  or  four  hours,  they  succeed- 
ed in  separating  the  Levant  from  the  other  vessels, 
when  she  tacked  and  stood  for  the  harbour,  her  com- 
manding officer,  lieutenant  Ballard,  hoping  the  neu- 
trality of  the  port  might  protect  him  :  but  in  this  he 
was  disappointed.  For  after  anchoring  in  four  fath- 
om water,  and  within  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of 
the  shore,  he  was  wantonly  attacked  by  the  British 
frigates,  (which  had  chased  him  in)  when,  finding  all 
further  resistance  vain,  he  was  compelled  to  strike 
his  colours. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  the  Cyane,  commanded  by 
lieutenant  Hoffman,  arrived  in  safety  at  New  York  ; 
and  on  the  15th  of  May  captain  Stewart  arrived  at 
the  same  place  in  the  Constitution,  after  a  cruise  of 
about  five  months — having  heard  of  the  ratification  of 
a  treaty  of  peace  between  Great  Britain  and  Ameri- 
ca about  a  fortnight  previous  to  his  arrival. 

THE  following  particulars  of  the  capture  of  the 
Cyane  and  Levant,  of  the  escape  of  the  Constitution 
with  one  of  them  and  the  subsequent  recapture  of 
the  other  by  a  British  fleet,  are  given  by  captain 
Stewart,  in  his  official  letter,  and  may  perhaps  be 
more  gratifying  to  the  nautical  reader,  than  our  pre- 
ceding brief  relation. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  166 

Minutes  of  the  action  between  the  United  States  frigate  Consti- 
tution and  his  majesty's  ships  Cyane  and  Levant,  on  the  20th 
February,  1815. 

COMMENCES  with  light  breezes  from  the  east,  and 
cloudy  weather.  At  one  P.  M.  discovered  a  sail  two 
points  on  the  larboard  bow — hauled  up,  and  made 
sail  in  chase.  At  a  quarter  past  one,  made  the  sail  to 
be  a  ship ;  at  three  quarters  past  one,  discovered 
another  sail  ahead ;  made  them  out,  at  two,  to  be 
both  ships,  standing  close  hauled,  with  their  starboard 
tacks  on  board  ;  at  four,  the  weathermost  ship  made 
signals,  and  bore  up  for  her  consort,  then  about  ten 
miles  to  leeward  ;  we  bdre  up  after  her,  and  set  low- 
er top-mast,  top-gallant  and  royal  studding  sails,  in 
chase  ;  at  half  past  four,  carried  away  our  main  roy- 
al-mast ;  took  in  the  sails,  and  got  another  prepared. 
At  five,  commenced  firing  on  the  chase  from  our  two 
larboard  bow  guns  ;  our  shot  falling  short,  ceased  fir- 
ing :  at  half  past  five,  finding  it  impossible  to  pre- 
vent their  junction,  cleared  ship  for  action,  then  about 
four  miles  from  the  two  ships ;  and  forty  minutes 
past  five,  they  passed  within  hail  of  each  other,  and 
hauled  by  the  wind  on  the  starboard  tack,  hauled  up 
their  courses,  and  prepared  to  receive  us  :  at  forty- 
five  minutes  past  five,  they  made  all  sail  close  hauled 
by  the  wind,  in  hopes  of  getting  to  windward  of  us  : 
at  fifty-five  minutes  past  five,  finding  themselves  dis- 
appointed in  their  object,  and  we  were  closing  with 
them  fast,  they  shortened  sail,  and  formed  on  a  line 
of  wind,  about  half  a  cable's  length  of  each  other :  at 
six,  having  them  under  command  of  our  battery, 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 

hoisted  our  colours,  which  was  answered  by  both 
ships  hoisting  English  ensigns  :  at  five  minutes  past 
six,  ranged  up  on  the  starboard  side  of  the  sternmost 
ship,  about  three  hundred  yards  dTstant,  and  com- 
menced the  action  by  broadsides,  both  ships  returning 
our  fire  with  great  spirit  for  about  fifteen  minutes  ; 
then  the  fire  of  the  enemy  beginning  to  slacken,  and 
the  great  column  of  smoke  collected  under  our  lee, 
induced  us  to  cease  our  fire  to  ascertain  their  posi- 
tions and  conditions  :  in  about  three  minutes,  the 
smoke  clearing  away,  we  found  ourselves  abreast  of 
the  headmost  ship,  the  sternmost  ship  luffed  up  for 
our  larboard  quarter ;  we  poured  a  broadside  into 
the  headmost  ship,  and  then  braced  aback  our  main 
and  mizzen-top-sails,  and  backed  astern  under  cover 
of  the  smoke,  abreast  the  sternmost  ship,  when  the 
action  was  continued  with  spirit  and  considerable 
effect,  until  thirty-five  minutes  past  six,  when  the 
enemy's  fire  again  slackened  and  we  discovered  the 
headmost  bearing  up  ;  filled  our  topsails,  shot 
ahead,  and  gave  her  two  stern  rakes ;  we  then 
discovered  the  sternmost  ship  wearing  also ;  wore 
ship  immediately  after  her,  and  gave  her  a  stern 
rake — she  luffed  to  on  our  starboard  bows,  and  gave 
us  her  larboard  broadside  :  we  ranged  up  on  her 
larboard  quarter,  within  hail,  and  were  about  to 
give  her  our  starboard  broadside,  when  she  struck 
her  colours,  fired  a  lee  gun,  and  yielded.  At  fifty 
minutes  past  six,  took  possession  of  his  majesty's 
ship  Cyane,  captain  Gordon  Falcon,  mounting 
thirty-four  guns.  At  eight,  filled  away  after  lier 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  157 

consort,  which  was  still  in  sight  to  leeward.  At 
half  past  eight,  found  her  standing  towards  us,  with 
her  starboard  tacks  close  hauled,  with  top-gallant 
sails-set,  and  colours  flying.  At  five  minutes  past 
eight,  ranged  close  along  side  to  windward  of  her 
on  opposite  tacks,  and  exchanged  broadsides — wore 
immediately  under  her  stern,  and  raked  her  with  a 
broadside  :  she  then  crowded  all  sail,  and  endeavour- 
ed to  escape  by  running — hauled  on  board  our  tacks, 
set  spanker,  and  flying  jib  in  chase.  At  half  past 
nine,  commenced  firing  on  her  from  our  starboard 
bow  chaser;  gave  her  several  shot,  which  cut  her 
spars  and  rigging  considerably.  At  ten,  finding  she 
could  not  escape,  fired  a  gun,  struck  her  colours,  and 
yielded.  We  immediately  took  possession  of  his 
majesty's  ship  Levant,  honourable  captain  George 
Douglass,  mounting  twenty-one  guns.  At  one  A.  M. 
the  damages  of  our  rigging  were  repaired,  sails  shift- 
ed, and  the  ship  in  fighting  condition." 


Minutes  of  the  chase  of  the  United  States  frigate  Constitution, 
by  an  English  squadron  of  three  ships,  from  out  the  harbour 
of  Port  Praya,  island  of  St.  Jago:— 

COMMENCES  with  fresh  breezes  and  thick  foggy 
weather.  At  five  minutes  past  twelve,  discovered  a 
large  ship  through  the  fog,  standing  in  for  Port  Praya. 
At  eight  minutes  past  twelve,  discovered  two  other 
large  ships  astern  of  her,  also  standing  in  for  the 
port.  From  their  general  appearance  supposed  them 
to  be  one  of  the  enemy's  squadrons,  and  from  the 


158  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

little  respect  hitherto  paid  by  them  to  neutral  waters, 
I  deemed  it  most  prudent  to  put  to  sea.  The  signal 
was  made  to  the  Cyane  and  Levant  to  get  under  way. 
At  twelve  minutes  past  twelve,  with  our  top  sails  set 
\ve  cut  our  cable  and  got  under  way,  (when  the 
Portuguese  opened  a  fire  on  us  from  several  of  their 
batteries  on  shore)  the  prize  ships  following  our  mo- 
tions, and  stood  out  of  the  harbour  of  Port  Praya, 
close  under  East  Point,  passing  the  enemy's  squad- 
ron about  gunshot  to  windward  of  them  ;  crossed  our 
top-gallant  yards,  and  set  foresail,  mainsail,  spank- 
er, flying-jib  and  top-gallant  sails.  The  enemy  see- 
ing us  under  way,  tacked  ship  and  made  all  sail  in 
chase  of  us.  As  far  as  we  could  judge  of  their  rates, 
from  the  thickness  of  the  weather,  supposed  them 
two  ships  of  the  line  and  one  frigate.  At  half  past 
twelve,  cut  away  the  boats  towing  astern — first  cut- 
ter and  gig.  At  one  P.  M.  found  our  sailing  about 
equal  with  the  ships  on  our  lee  quarter,  but  the  frig- 
ate luffing  up,  gaining  our  wake,  and  rather  dropping 
astern  of  us  ;  finding  the  Cyane  dropping  astern  and 
to  leeward,  and  the  frigate  gaining  on  her  fast,  I 
found  it  impossible  to  save  her  if  she  continued  on  the 
same  course,  without  having  the  Constitution  brought 
to  action  by  their  whole  force.  I  made  the  signal  at 
ten  minutes  past  one,  to  her  to  tack  ship,  which  was 
complied  with.  This  manosuvre,  I  conceived,  \vould 
detach  one  of  the  enemy's  ships  in  pursuit  of  her, 
while  at  the  same  time,  from  her  position,  she  would 
be  enabled  to  reach  the  anchorage  at  Port  Praya,  be- 
fore the  detached  ship  could  come  up  with  her;  but 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  159 

if-  they  did  not  tack  after  her,  it  would  afford  her  an 
opportunity  to  double  their  rear,  and  make  her  escape 
before  the  wind.  They  all  continued  in  full  chase 
of  the  Levant  and  this  ship  ;  the  ship  on  our  lee 
quarter  firing  broadsides,  by  divisions — her  shot  fall- 
ing short  of  us.  At  three,  by  our  having  dropped 
the  Levant  considerably,  her  situation  became  (from 
the  position  of  the  enemy's  frigate)  similar  to  the 
Cyane.  It  became  necessary  to  separate  also  from 
the  Levant,  or  risk  this  ship  being  brought  to  action 
to  cover  her.  I  made  the  signal  at  five  minutes  past 
three  for  her  to  tack,  which  was  complied  with.  At 
twelve  minutes  past  three,  the  whole  of  the  enemy's 
squadron  tacked  in  pursuit  of  the  Levant,  and  gave 
up  the  pursuit  of  this  ship.  This  sacrifice  of  the 
Levant  became  necessary  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Constitution.  Sailing  master  Nixon,  midshipman 
Varnum,  one  boatswain's  mate,  and  twelve  men, 
were  absent  on  duty  in  the  fifth  cutter,  to  bring  the 
cartel  brig  under  our  stern. 


BLOCKADE   OF   CHESAPEAKE  AND  DELAWARE 

BAYS. 

THE  British  government  declared  the  Chesapeake 
and  Delaware  bays  to  be  in  a  state  of  blockade.  In 
the  early  part  of  the  year,  a  squadron  under  the 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 

command  of  admiral  Warren,  was  sent  to  the  en- 
trance of  the  Chesapeake  to  enforce  this  blockade. 

The  first  interesting  event  this  blockade  gave  rise 
to,  was  the  affair  of  the  Lottery.  This  vessel 
mounted  six  guns,  and  had  a  crew  of  thirty-five  men. 
In  sailing  out  of  the  Chesapeake,  in  the  month  of 
February,  she  was  attacked  by  nine  large  British 
boats,  having  on  board  two  hundred  and  forty  well 
armed  men.  She  sustained  their  united  attack  up- 
wards of  an  hour  and  a  half,  when  the  British  suc- 
ceeded in  boarding  her,  and  pulled  down  her  colours. 
The  loss  of  the  British  exceeded  the  number  of  the 
Lottery. 

On  the  3d  of  April,  the  privateer  Dolphin  of  Balti- 
more, was  captured  after  a  long  and  gallant  resist- 
ance, by  a  number  of  barges  and  launches,  belong- 
ing to  the  blockading  squadron.  The  British  finally 
succeeded  in  capturing  her,  by  boarding  and  over- 
powering her  crew  by  superior  numbers. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  a  party  of  the  British 
blockading  squadron,  sailed  up  to  the  head  of  the 
Chesapeake  bay,  where  they  captured  and  destroyed 
a  number  of  small  vessels. 

About  the  commencement  of  May,  a  large  party  of 
British  marines  and  sailors,  under  the  command  of 
rear  admiral  Cockburn,  successfully  attacked  the 
villages  of  Frenchtown,  Havre-de-grace,  Georgetown 
and  Fredericktown.  These  places  were  situated 
near  the  head  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  contained  but 
few  inhabitants.  They  of  course  could  make  but 
Jittle  resistance  against  a  numerous  body  of  assail- 


NAVAL 

ants.  The  destruction  committed  by  the  British  in 
those  places  was  wanton  in  the  extreme.  The  hous- 
es were  set  on  fire.  The  furniture  and  other  prop- 
erty of  the  inhabitants  were  either  destroyed  or  con- 
veyed on  board  their  vessels.  The  squadron  soon 
after  returned  down  the  Chesapeake. 

On  the  20th  of  June,  commodore  Cassin  fitted  out 
an  expedition  against  some  of  the  blockading  frigates 
then  in  the  vicinity  of  Crany  Island.  Fifteen  gun 
boats  were  selected  for  this  purpose  and  put  under  the 
command  of  captain  Tarbell.  The  attack  was  com- 
menced from  the  gun  boats  upon  a  frigate  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  distant.  Two  other  British  frig- 
ates were  in  sight.  The  frigate  sustained  considera- 
ble injury,  and  would  have  been  captured  by  the  gun 
boats  had  not  a  breeze  sprung  up  which  enabled  the 
other  two  vessels  to  come  to  her  assistance.  The 
action  however  continued  an  hour  and  a  half  with 
the  three  frigates.  Only  one  American  was  killed, 
and  some  others  slightly  wounded. 

On  the  22d  of  June,  about  three  thousand  British 
attempted  to  land  on  Crany  Island,  but  were  repuls- 
ed. Three  of  their  barges  were  sunk  :  one  of  them, 
belonging  to  admiral  Warren's  ship  had  seventy-five 
men  in  her,  the  greater  part  of  whom  were  drowned ; 
a  number  of  prisoners  were  taken.  Many  of  the  ene- 
my also  deserted.  The  American  troops  on  the  is- 
land consisted  of  about  five  hundred  land  troops  un- 
der the  command  of  lieutenant-colonel  Beaty  ;  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  marines,  and  sailors,  under  the 

21 


NAVAL     BATTLES. 

command  of  lieutenants  Neale,  Shubrick,  Saunders, 
and  Brackenridge. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  about  two  thousand  five 
hundred  British  attacked  the  town  of  Hampton. 
The  American  force  stationed  there  amounted  to 
about  four  hundred,  under  the  command  of  major 
Crutchfield.  This  small  body  of  Americans  opposed 
the  very  superior  British  force,  with  the  utmost  gal- 
lantry for  a  considerable  time,  when,  overcome  by 
numbers,  they  retreated,  and  the  British  took  posses- 
sion of  Hampton,  where  the  most  inhuman  and  shock- 
ing acts  were  committed  by  them.  Several  of  the  de- 
fenceless and  unfortunate  females  that  remained  in  the 
place  suffered  every  indecency  and  violence.  Pro- 
perty to  a  large  amount  was  most  wantonly  destroyed. 

On  the  14th  of  July  the  United  States  schooner 
Asp,  of  three  guns  and  twenty-one  men,  in  the  Ches- 
apeake bay,  being  attacked  by  several  British  ves- 
sels, ran  up  a  creek,  whither  she  was  pursued  by 
three  boats,  well  manned  and  armed  ;  but  the  assail- 
ants were  soon  compelled  to  retreat.  After  the 
lapse  of  an  hour,  the  Asp  was  again  attacked  by  five 
boats,  the  crews  of  which  succeeded  in  boarding  her. 
The  crew  of  the  Asp  retreated  on  shore.  The  Brit- 
ish set  fire  to  the  vessel  and  left  her.  The  fire 
however  was  extinguished  by  the  Americans.  The 
loss  of  the  latter  in  killed  and  wounded  amounted  to 
ten. 

On  the  18th  of  July,  an  attempt  was  made  in  the 
Chesapeake  bay,  to  blow  up  the  Plantaganet,  a  se- 
venty-four, by  means  of  a  torpedo.  Mr.  Mix,  the 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  163 

projector  of  the  scheme,  had  approached  within  forty 
fathoms  of  her,  and  dropped  the  torpedo ;  when  he 
was  hailed  by  one  of  the  British  guard  boats.  He 
instantly  drew  his  machine  into  the  boat  and  escaped. 
On  the  following  night  he  made  a  second  attempt, 
but  was  again  discovered.  In  the  night  of  the  20th, 
he  made  a  third  attempt,  and  got  within  fifteen 
yards  of  the  ship's  bow,  and  directly  under  her  jib- 
boom,  where  he  continued  fifteen  minutes  making 
preparations,  when  a  sentinel  from  the  forecastle 
hailed  "  Boat  ahoy."  The  sentinel  not  being  an- 
swered, fired  his  musket  at  the  now  retreating  ad- 
venturer, to  which  a  rapid  discharge  of  small  arms 
succeeded.  Blue  lights  were  resorted  to  in  order  to 
find  out  the  position  of  the  boat,  but  failed.  Rockets 
were  then  thrown  which  illumined  the  water  to  a 
considerable  extent,  and  discovered  the  boat.  A 
heavy  discharge  of  cannon  immediately  commenced. 
The  Plantaganet  slipped  her  cable,  made  some  sail, 
while  her  boats  were  sent  in  pursuit.  But  the  dar- 
ing American  escaped  unhurt.  Unsuccessful  at- 
tempts were  made  the  three  following  nights.  But 
on  the  24th  Mr.  Mix  took  his  position  within  one 
hundred  yards  of  the  Plantaganet,  and  in  a  direction 
with  her  larboard  bow.  The  machine  was  dropped 
into  the  water,  and  the  same  moment  the  sentinel 
cried  "  All's  well :"  the  tide  swept  it  towards  the 
vessel,  but  it  exploded  a  few  seconds  too  soon.  A 
column  of  water  fifty  feet  in  circumference  was 
thrown  up  thirty  or  forty  feet,  Its  appearance  was 
a  vivid  red,  tinged  with  purple  at  the  sides.  The 


NAVAL     BATTLES. 

summit  of  the  column  burst  with  a  tremendous  explo- 
sion, and  fell  on  the  deck  of  the  Plantaganet  in  tor- 
rents, while  she  rolled  into  the  yawning  chasm  be- 
low, and  nearly  upset.  She  however  received  but 
little  injury. 

In  the  month  of  July,  the  blockading  squadron 
again  sailed  up  the  Chesapeake  and  entered  the  Po- 
tomac :  they  however  effected  nothing.  Soon  after 
returning  out  of  the  river  they  sailed  toward  the 
head  of  the  Chesapeake.  They  landed  on  Kent 
Island,  where  they  remained  for  some  time,  when 
they  again  returned  down  the  bay. 

On  the  6th  of  April  the  blockading  squadron  in  the 
Delaware  bay  commenced  a  cannonade  on  Lewis- 
town,  the  inhabitants  of  which  had  refused  comply- 
ing with  an  order  of  the  English  commodore,  to  sup- 
ply the  squadron  with  provisions.  The  cannonade 
lasted  about  twenty-two  hours  :  a  number  of  eighteen 
and  thirty-two  pound  shot  were  fired,  likewise  shells 
and  Congreve  rockets;  but  produced  little  or  no 
effect — not  a  life  was  lost.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
place  were  prompt  in  repelling  every  attempt  to 
land. 

On  the  27th  of  July,  one  of  the  United  States  gun 
boats  was  captured  in  the  Delaware  by  a  superior 
force,  after  a  very  gallant  defence,  in  which  the 
British  had  seven  men  killed  and  twelve  wounded.* 


»  Clark'i  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.    194—197. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  165 


GUN  BOAT  ACTION. 

On  the  19th  of  May,  commodore  Lewis,  command- 
ing the  United  States  flotilla  on  the  New  York  sta- 
tion, discovered  the  enemy  in  pursuit  of  a  brig  under 
American  colours  standing  for  Sandy  Hook ;  when 
he  ordered  a  detachment  of  eleven  gun  boats  to  pro- 
ceed to  sea  and  pass  between  the  chase  and  the  en- 
emy, by  which  means  to  bring  him  to  action,  and 
give  opportunity  to  the  chase  to  escape — all  which 
was  effected  ;  and  the  enemy,  after  receiving  the  fire 
of  the  boats  bore  away. 

On  the  23d,  commodore  Lewis  engaged  the  ene- 
my, before  New  London,  and  opened  a  passage  for 
forty  sail  of  coasting  vessels  ;  the  action  lasted  three 
hours,  in  which  the  flotilla  suffered  very  little,  and 
night  coming  on,  the  action  ceased.  The  enemy's 
force  consisted  of  two  ships  and  a  sloop  of  war,  and 
from  appearance  suffered  severely,  as  he  was  unwill- 
ing to  renew  the  action  next  morning. 


EVENTS  ON  LAKE  ERIE. 

ON  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  October,  1812,  two 
British  vessels,  the  Detroit  and  the  Caledonia,  came 
down  Lake  Erie,  and  anchored  under  the  guns  of 


166  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

the  British  fort  Erie.  Lieutenant  Elliot,  of  the 
United  States  navy,  who,  at  that  time  superintended 
the  naval  affairs  on  lake  Erie,  determined  to  attack, 
and  if  possible,  to  possess  himself  of  them. 

About  this  time,  a  number  of  seamen  were  march- 
ing from  the  sea  shore  to  the  lake.  Early  the  day 
before  the  intended  attack,  he  despatched  a  messen- 
ger to  hasten  them  forward.  They  arrived  about 
twelve  o'clock  ;  but  he  discovered  that  they  had  only 
twenty  pistols,  and  neither  cutlasses  nor  battleaxes. 
On  application  to  general  Smyth,  he  was  supplied 
with  a  few  arms  :  and  about  fifty  men  were  detach- 
ed from  the  regulars,  armed  with  muskets. 

By  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  lieutenant  Elliot 
had  his  men  selected  and  stationed  in  two  boats,  fifty 
in  each.  At  one  o'clock  on  the  following  morning, 
he  put  off  from  the  mouth  of  Buffalo  creek,  under 
very  disadvantageous  circumstances,  his  men  hav- 
ing scarcely  had  time  to  refresh  themselves  after  a 
fatiguing  march  of  five  hundred  miles.  At  three 
o'clock  he  came  along  side  the  British  vessels.  In  the 
space  of  ten  minutes  he  got  possession  of  them,  had 
secured  the  crews  as  prisoners,  and  had  them  under 
way.  The  wind,  unfortunately,  was  not  sufficiently 
strong  to  carry  them  against  a  rapid  current  into  the 
lake,  where,  he  was  informed,  another  vessel  lay  at 
anchor.  He  was  obliged  in  running  down  the  river, 
to  pass  the  British  forts,  under  a  heavy  fire  of  round, 
grape  and  cannister  shot,  from  a  number  of  pieces  of 
heavy  ordnance,  and  several  pieces  of  flying  artille- 
ry. Lieutenant  Elliot  was  compelled  to  anchor  at 
"'. 


NAVAL  BATTLKS.  167 

a  distance  of  about  four  hundred  yards  from  two  of 
their  batteries.  After  the  discharge  of  the  first  gun 
he  hailed  the  British  officer,  and  observed  to  him, 
that  if  another  gun  were  fired  he  would  bring  the 
prisoners  on  deck  and  expose  them  to  the  same  fate 
with  the  Americans.  But,  notwithstanding  they 
continued  to  keep  up  a  constant  and  destructive  fire 
a  moment's  reflection  determined  him  not  to  com- 
mit an  act  of  such  barbarity.  The  Caledonia  had 
been  beached  in  as  safe  a  position  as  circumstances 
Mould  admit  of,  under  one  of  the  American  batteries 
at  Black  Rock. 

Lieutenant  Elliot  now  brought  all  the  guns  of  his 
vessel  on  her  side  next  the  enemy,  and  a  fire  was 
kept  up  until  all  his  ammunition  was  expended. 
During  the  contest  he  endeavoured  to  get  the  De- 
troit on  the  American  side,  but  did  not  succeed.  He 
then  determined  to  drift  down  the  river,  out  of  reach 
of  the  British  Batteries,  and  make  a  stand  against 
their  flying  artillery.  He  accordingly  ordered  the 
cable  to  be  cut,  and  made  sail  with  .a  very  light 
breeze.  At  this  moment  he  discovered  that  his  pi- 
lot had  abandoned  him.  He  dropped  astern  for 
about  ten  minutes,  when  he  was  brought  up  on  Squaw 
island,  near  the  American  shore.  A  boat  with  pri- 
soners was  sent  on  shore  ;  but,  owing  to  the  difficul- 
ty it  met  with  did  not  return.  He,  however,  with 
the  remainder  of  the  prisoners  and  crew,  succeeded 
in  getting  on  shore. 

About  eleven  o'clock  next  morning,  a  company  of 
British  regulars  from  fort  Erie,  boarded  the  Detroit, 


NAVAL     BATTLE3. 

to  destro}'  the  military  stores  with  which  she  was  prin- 
cipally laden.  But  they  were  dislodged  by  a  detach- 
ment of  volunteers  under  the  command  of  major  Cy- 
renus  Chapin.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day,  the  British  a  second  time  attempt- 
ed to  board  the  Detroit;  but  were  again  repulsed. 

The  Detroit  mounted  six  long  six  pounders,  and 
had  a  crew  of  fifty-six  men.  About  thirty  American 
prisoners  were  on  board  her.  She  was  burnt  by  the 
Americans  after  they  had  taken  the  greater  part  of 
the  stores  out  of  her.  The  Caledonia  mounted  two 
small  guns,  and  had  a  crew  of  twelve  men.  She 
had  on  board  a  cargo  of  furs,  estimated  at  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

In  March  1813,  captain  Perry  arrived  at  the  port  of 
Erie,  to  take  command  of  the  fleet  jhere  fitting  out. 

During  the  summer  the  following  American  ves- 
sels were  equipped  on  lake  Erie. 

Guns.  Commanders. 

Brig  Lawrence  20  O.  H.  Perry. 

Niagara  20  J.  D.  Elliot. 

Caledonia  3  Turner. 

Schr.  Ariel  4  Packet. 

Scorpion  2  Champlin. 

Somers  2  &,  2  swivels  Alney. 

Tigress  1  Conklin 

Porcupine  1  Lendt. 

Trippe  1  Smith. 

Ohio  1  Dobbin. 

55  guns. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  169 

The  British  fleet  under  the  command  of  commo- 
dore Barclay,  consisted  of  the  following  vessels. 

Guns.  Howitzers. 

Ship  Detroit  19  2 

Queen  Charlotte  17  1 

Schr.  Lady  Prevost  13  1 

Brig  Hunter  10 

Sloop  Little  Belt  3 

Schr.  Chippeway  1 

63  guns. 

On  the  morning  of  the  tenth  of  September  the 
British  fleet  was  discovered  by  commodore  Perry 
from  Put  in  Bay,  where  he  then  lay  at  anchor. 
Commodore  Perry  immediately  got  under  way  with 
his  squadron,  and  stood  for  the  British  fleet.  The 
wind  at  that  time  was  light  from  southwest.  At  fif- 
teen minutes  before  twelve,  the  British  commenced 
firing  :  and  at  five  minutes  before  twelve,  the  action 
commenced  on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  As  the 
Are  of  the  British,  owing  to  their  long  guns,  was  very 
severe  upon  the  Americans,  and  was  principally  di- 
rected at  the  Lawrence,  commodore  Perry  resolved 
to  close  with  them  :  he  accordingly  made  sail,  and 
ordered  the  other  vessels  to  follow.  Every  brace 
and  bowline  of  the  Lawrence  being  shot  away,  she 
became  unmanageable,  notwithstanding  the  great 
exertions  of  the  sailing  master.  In  this  situation  she 
sustained  the  action,  within  cannister  distance,  up- 
wards of  two  hours,  until  every  gun  was  rendered 
22 


NAVAL     BATTLES. 

useless,  and  the  greater  part  of  her  crew  either  killed 
or  wounded. 

After  a  display  of  skill  and  gallantry,  which,  alone, 
would  have  been  sufficient  to  have  immortalized 
commodore  Perry — after  defending  his  vessel  against 
a  far  superior  force,  to  the  very  last  extremity,  this 
illustrious  hero,  at  a  critical  moment,  when,  to  al- 
most any  other  mind,  the  contest  would  have  appear- 
ed hopeless,  resolved  to  save  his  country's  honour,  or 
perish  in  the  attempt.  He  therefore  quitted  the 
Lawrence  in  an  open  boat,  and  rowed  off  for  the 
Niagara,  to  make  one  more  display  of  his  heroism 
and  talents.  In  his  passage,  there  was  no  less  than 
three  broadsides  fired  at  him  by  the  British  vessels, 
which  he  passed.  Heaven  interposed  its  protecting 
arm.  He  escaped  the  apparently  inevitable  destruc- 
tion. He  reached  the  Niagara  in  safety,  and  a  breeze 
springing  up,  enabled  captain  Elliot,  who  commanded 
that  vessel,  to  bring  her  into  close  action  in  a  very 
gallant  manner.  Captain  Elliot  anticipated  the  com- 
modore's desires  by  volunteering  to  bring  the  schoon- 
ers, which  had,  by  the  lightness  of  the  wind,  been 
kept  astern,  into  close  action.  Some  time  after  com- 
modore Perry  had  left  the  Lawrence  her  flag  was 
lowered  ;  for  having  been  so  long  exposed  to  nearly 
the  whole  fire  of  the  British  fleet,  she  was  almost 
cut  to  pieces;  and  the  chief  part  of  her  crew  disabled, 
only  eight  men  remaining  capable  of  doing  duty. 
The  British  however  were  not  in  a  state  to  take  pos- 
session of  her,  and  circumstances  soon  permitted  her 
flag  to  b«  again  hoisted.  At  forty-five  minutes  past 


XAVAL     BATTLES. 

two,  the  signal  was  made  for  close  action.  As  the 
Niagara  was  very  little  injured,  commodore  Perry 
determined  to  pass  through  the  enemy's  line  with 
her.  He  accordingly  bore  up,  and  passed  ahead  of 
their  two  ships  and  a  brig,  giving  a  raking  fire  to 
them  from  his  larboard  side,  at  half  pistol  shot  dis- 
tance. The  smaller  vessels  were  by  this  time  with- 
in grape  and  cannister  distance,  under  the  direction 
of  captain  Elliot.  The  severe  and  well  directed  fire 
from  them  and  the  Niagara,  forced  the  two  ships,  the 
brig,  and  a  schooner  to  surrender.  A  sloop  and 
schooner  attempted  to  escape,  but  were  overtaken 
and  captured. 

The  Lawrence  was  so  completely  cut  up,  that 
after  the  action,  she  was  sent  to  Erie  to  be  disman- 
tled. Lieutenant  Yarnell,  upon  whom  the  command 
of  the  Lawrence  devolved  after  the  commodore  left 
her,  refused  to  quit  the  deck  though  several  times 
wounded.  Lieutenant  Brooke  of  the  marines,  and 
midshipman  Saul,  were  both  killed  on  board  the 
Lawrence.  As  the  surgeon  of  this  vessel  was  stoop- 
ing, in  the  act  of  dressing  or  examining  a  wound,  a 
ball  passed  through  the  ship  a  few  inches  from  his 
head,  which,  had  it  been  erect  must  have  been  tak- 
en off.  Mr.  Hambleton,  purser,  distinguished  him- 
self, and  towards  the  close  of  the  action  was  severe- 
ly wounded. 

On  board  the  Niagara,  lieutenants  Smith  and  Ed- 
wards and  midshipman  Webster  behaved  in  a  very 
handsome  manner.  Captain  Brevoort  of  the  army, 
who,  with  the  men  under  his  command,  had  volun- 


172  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

teered,  to  act  as  marines,  did  great  execution  with 
his  musketry.  Lieutenant  Turner,  who  command- 
ed the  Caledonia,  brought  his  vessel  into  action  in 
the  most  gallant  style.  The  Ariel,  lieutenant  Pack- 
et, and  Scorpion,  sailing  master  Champlin,  got  early 
into  the  action,  and  were  of  great  service.  The  pur- 
ser Magrath  performed  essential  service.  Captain 
Elliot  particularly  distinguished  himself  by  his  exer- 
tion and  skill. 

The  following  is  an  estimate  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  on  board  the  American  fleet. 

Killed.         Wounded.  Total 

Lawrence  22              61  83 

Niagara  2              25,  27 

Caledonia                           3  3 

Somers                               2  2 

Ariel  1               3  4 

Trippe                               2  2 

Scorpion  2  2 

27  96  123 

Of  the  British  fleet  the  captain  and  first  lieutenant  of 
the  Queen  Charlotte,  were  killed.  Commodore  Bar- 
clay of  the  Lady  Prevost  was  severely  wounded,  and 
lost  his  hand.  The  loss  of  the  British  in  killed  and 
wounded  has  been  estimated  at  one  hundred  and  sixty. 

The  rejoicing  at  this  victory  in  the  United  States, 
was  extremely  great.  All  the  principal  towns  were 
illuminated.* 

*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  217—222. 


NAVAI.     BATTLES.  173 


EVENTS  ON   LAKE  ONTARIO. 

FOR  a  long  time  previous  to  the  war,  the  British 
had  been  actively  employed  in  equipping  vessels  of 
war  on  lake  Ontario.  On  the  19th  of  July  1812, 
soon  after  the  declaration  of  war  reached  Sackett's 
harbour,  lieutenant  Woolsey,  of  the  American  brig 
Oneida,  then  lying  in  Sackett's  harbour,  discovered 
from  the  mast  head  five  sail  of  British  armed  vessels 
namely,  the  Royal  George,  of  twenty-four  guns  ;  the 
Prince  Regent,  a  new  ship  carrying  upwards  of  twen- 
ty guns,  the  Earl  Moira  of  twenty,  the  Seneca  of 
eight,  the  other  unknown.  They  were  about  five 
leagues  distant,  beating  up  for  the  harbour  with  the 
wind  ahead.  The  troops  were  immediately  called  to 
arms  and  despatches  sent  for  the  troops  in  the  vicini- 
ty, who  assembled,  to  the  amount  of  nearly  three 
thousand.  Soon  after  sunrise  the  Prince  Regent 
brought  to,  and  captured  the  custom  house  boat, 
about  seven  miles  from  the  harbour.  The  crew  of 
the  boat  were  set  on  shore,  with  a  message  to  colonel 
Belleyer,  the  commandant  at  the  harbour,  demand- 
ing the  surrender  of  the  Oneida,  and  the  late  British 
schooner  Nelson,  seized  for  a  breach  of  the  revenue 
laws,  and  then  fitting  out  as  an  armed  vessel.  In 
case  of  refusal,  the  British  threatened  to  burn  the 
village,  and  lay  the  inhabitants  under  contribution. 

Soon  after  this  lieutenant  Woolsey  left  the  harbour 
in  the  Oneida,  and  ran  down  within  a  league  of  the 
British.  But  he  soon  returned,  and  moored  his  vessel 


174  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

in  a  line  with  a  land  battery  lately  erected.  Lieu- 
tenant Woolsey  then  left  his  vessel,  in  order  to  direct 
the  guns  of  the  land  battery.  By  this  time  the  Brit- 
ish fleet  had  arrived  within  gunshot.  The  Royal 
George,  as  flag  ship,  was  ahead.  A  brisk  firing  com- 
menced on  both  sides,  and  continued  upwards  of  two 
hours.  The  Royal  George  and  Prince  Regent  were 
much  injured.  As  the  former  was  veering  to  give  a 
broadside,  a  shot  from  an  American  thirty-two  pound- 
er, was  observed  to  strike  her  and  completely  rake 
her.  Soon  after  this  the  squadron  bore  away  for 
Kingston.  None  of  the  Americans  were  injured. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  the  Julia,  carrying  three  guns 
was  attacked  by  the  British  armed  vessels  Earl 
Moira,  of  sixteen  guns,  and  the  Duke  of  Gloucester 
of  ten,  at  the  entrance  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
beat  them  both  off. 

In  September,  captain  Isaac  Chauncey  was  ap- 
pointed to  command  the  American  fleet  on  lake  On- 
tario, then  lying  in  Sackett's  harbour,  where  he  ar- 
rived in  the  month  of  October.  In  the  early  part  of 
November,  he  sailed  with  his  fleet  from  Sackett's 
harbour :  the  aggregate  of  guns  of  the  American  ves- 
sels amounted  to  forty,  their  crews  to  four  hundred 
and  thirty  men  ;  that  of  the  British  to  one  hundred 
and  eight  guns,  and  their  crews  to  eight  hundred  and 
ninety  men. 

On  the  8th,  commodore  Chauncey  fell  in  with  the 
Royal  George,  and  chased  her  into  Quinte  Bay ; 
where  he  lost  sight  of  her  in  the  night ;  but  on  the 
morning  of  the  9th,  she  was  perceived  lying  in 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  175 

Kingston  channel.  She  was  immediately  followed 
into  the  harbour  of  Kingston.  He  there  engaged  her 
while  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  land  batteries,  for 
upwards  of  an  hour  and  a  quarter.  Night  coming  on 
he  haled  off  with  the  intention  of  renewing  the  at- 
tack next  morning  ;  but  this  the  weather  prevented. 
On  the  10th,  the  commodore  fell  in  with  the  Gov- 
ernor Simcoe,  which  l$ow"ever  succeeded  in  escaping 
into  the  harbour  of  Kingston.  In  passing  through 
the  bay  of  Quinte,  two  British  trading  vessels  were 
captured.  On  the  12th  he  returned  to  Sackett's 
harbour. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  the  ship  Madison  was 
launched  at  Sackett's  harbour. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1813,  the  United  States 
had  the  following  vessels  equipped  on  lake  Ontario. 

Guns 

Ship  Madison  24 

Brig  Oneida  18 

Schooner  Governor  Tompkins  6 

Hamilton  9 

Julia  2 

Elizabeth  2 

Lady  of  the  Lake  8 

Conquest 

Growler  6 

Pert  S 

Fair  American  4 

Ontario 
Scourge 


176  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

Also  the  Mary,  bombvessel.  During  the  summer 
die  General  Pike  of  thirty-two  guns,  was  added  to 
the  fleet. 

The  British  fleet  in  the  spring  consisted  of  the 
following  vessels : 

Guns. 

The  frigate  General  Wolfe  36 

Ship  Royal  George  22 

Prince  Regent  16 

Brig  Earl  Moira  12 

Seven  schooners  of  from  four  to  eight  guns  each. 

On  the  25th  of  April  the  American  fleet,  under 
commodore  Chauncey,  left  Sackett's  harbour  for  the 
purpose  of  conveying  the  expedition,  under  the  com- 
mand of  major  general  Dearborn,  against  the  British 
post  at  York.  At  this  place  the  fleet  arrived  on  the 
27th.  The  landing  of  the  troops  was  covered  in  a 
masterly  manner  by  the  commodore.  The  Ameri- 
cans succeeded  in  their  attack  upon  the  town :  but 
unfortunately,  the  ever  to  be  lamented  brigadier 
general  Pike,  was  killed  by  explosion.  A  midship- 
man and  some  seamen  of  the  fleet  were  killed. 

Commodore  Chauncey,  after  having  returned  to 
Sackett's  harbour  from  York,  again  sailed,  on  the 
22d  of  May  for  the  purpose  of  co-operating  in  the 
reduction  of  the  British  fort  George,  which  was  at- 
tacked on  the  28th.  The  vessels  of  the  American 
squadron  were  judiciously  stationed  to  cover  the 
landing  of  the  troops,  and  to  silence  the  land  batte- 
ries of  the  British  ;  in  the  latter  they  soon  succeed- 
ed ;  when  a  landing  was  effected,  and  the  fort  taken. 


NAVAL    BATTLKS.  177 

Captain  Perry  had  come  down  from  lake  Erie,  and 
was  in  this  engagement.  He  rendered  particular 
service  to  the  commodore  by  assisting  in  arranging 
and  superintending  the  debarkation  of  the  troops, 
On  board  the  fleet  only  one  man  was  killed,  and  two 
wounded. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  during  the  absence  of  the 
American  fleet,  the  British  fleet,  consisting  of  the 
Wolfe,  Royal  George,  Prince  Regent,  Earl  Moira, 
two  armed  schooners,  and  a  number  of  gun  boats, 
with  a  detachment  of  the  British  army,  from  Kings- 
ton, attacked  Sackett's  harbour  ;  they  were  howev- 
er gallantly  repulsed  by  the  troops  under  the  com- 
mand of  brigadier  general  Brown.  A  few  days  after 
this  affair  the  American  fleet  returned  to  Sackett's 
harbour. 

In  the  latter  part  of  July,  commodore  Chauncey  left 
Sackett's  harbour  with  his  fleet,  and  on  the  27th  of 
the  same  month  arrived  off  Niagara.  Having  there 
taken  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  infantry  on  board, 
he  set  sail.  It  had  been  resolved  to  attack  an  encamp- 
ment of  the  British  ;  but  the  latter  being  in  greater 
force  than  had  been  supposed,  the  attempt  was  aban- 
doned ;  and  the  fleet  proceeded  to  York,  where  the 
marines  and  soldiers  were  landed,  under  colonel 
Scott.  A  very  considerable  quantity  of  British  stores 
were  either  destroyed  or  conveyed  on  board  the  fleet. 
The  barracks  and  publick  store  houses  were  burnt. 
The  fleet  then  returned  to  Niagara. 

On  the  7th  of  August  at  daylight,  the  British  fleet, 
consisting  of  two  ships,  two  brigs,  and  two  large 
23 


178  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

schooners,  were  discovered  bearing  w.  N.  w.  7  hey 
were  about  five  or  six  miles  distant,  and  the  wi>  1  at 
west.  Commodore  Chauncey,  having  passed  the  lee- 
ward of  the  British  line,  and  abreast  of  their  van  i  hip, 
the  Wolfe,  hoisted  American  colours  ;  and  fired  ?  few 
guns  to  ascertain  whether  the  British  vessels  <  ould 
be  reached  by  his  shot.  But  discovering  that  they 
fell  short,  he  wore  and  haled  upon  a  wind  on  the 
starboard  tack.  The  rearmost  of  the  American 
schooners  was  then  about  six  miles  astern.  The 
British  wore  in  succession  ;  and  haled  upon  a  wind 
on  the  same  tack  ;  but  perceiving  the  Americans 
would  be  enabled  to  weather  them  upon  the  next 
tack,  they  tacked,  and  made  all  sail  to  the  north- 
ward. As  soon  as  the  rear  vessels  of  the  American 
squadron  could  reach  the  wake  of  the  British,  they 
tacked,  and  made  all  sail  in  chase.  In  the  afternoon 
the  wind  became  very  light,  and  towards  night  a 
calm  succeeded.  The  American  schooners  used 
their  sweeps  all  the  afternoon,  in  endeavours  to  close 
with  the  British,  but  without  success.  Late  in  the 
afternoon  commodore  Chauncey  made  the  signal  of 
recall,  and  formed  in  close  order.  During  the  night, 
the  wind  was  from  the  westward ;  and  after  mid- 
night squally.  All  hands  were  kept  at  quarters,  and 
the  vessels  beat  to  windward,  in  expectation  of  gain- 
ing the  wind  of  the  British.  During  the  night  the 
two  best  American  schooners  were  upset,  in  a  heavy 
squall  of  wind,  and  sunk.  Only  sixteen  persons  were 
saved  from  them  ;  all  the  rest  perished.  The  names 
of  the  schooners  were  the  Hamilton  and  Scourge, 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  179 

mounting  together  nineteen  guns.  This  accident 
gave  the  British  a  decided  superiority.  Commodore 
Chauncey  expected  the  British  would  take  advan- 
tage of  this  superiority  ;  and  the  more  so  as  by  a 
change  of  wind  they  were  brought  right  to  windward 
of  him.  He  accordingly  formed  his  line  upon  the  lar- 
board tack,  and  hove  to.  Soon  after  the  British  bore 
up  and  set  studding  sails,  apparently  with  the  inten- 
tion of  bringing  the  Americans  to  action*  When 
they  had  approached  within  four  miles,  they  brought 
to  on  the  starboard  tack.  The  Americans  then  wore, 
and  brought  to,  on  the  same  tack.  Commodore 
Chauncey  perceiving  the  British  did  not  intend  bring- 
ing him  to  action,  edged  away  towards  the  shore,  in 
order  to  take  advantage  of  the  land  breeze  in  the  af- 
ternoon. It  soon  after  became  calm,  when  he  direct- 
ed his  schooners  to  sweep  up  and  engage  the  British. 
About  noon  a  light  breeze  blew  from  the  eastward. 
The  commodore  then  took  the  Oneida  in  tow,  and 
made  sail  towards  the  British.  When  the.van  of  the 
American  schooners  was  within  one  and  a  half  or 
two  miles  of  the  rear  of  the  British,  the  wind  shift- 
ed to  the  westward,  which  again  brought  the  latter 
to  windward  ;  when  they  bore  up  to  the  American 
schooners  in  order  to  cut  them  off,  before  they  could 
be  rejoined  by  commodore  Chauncey.  But  the 
schooners  succeeded  in  returning  to  their  station. 
The  British  being  thus  foiled  in  their  attempt  upon 
the  schooners,  haled  their  wind,  and  hove  to.  The 
weather  becoming  very  squally,  commodore  Chaun- 
cey resolved  to  run  in  towards  Niagara.  The  crews 


180  >AVAL     HUTL}>. 

of  the  squadron  were  nearly  forty-eight  hours  at 
quarters.  A  detachment  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
soldiers  was  received  on  board  the  American  fleet 
from  Niagara,  to  act  as  marines.  On  the  following 
morning  the  British  fleet  was  discovered  bearing 
north.  The  American  commodore  immediately 
weighed  anchor,  and  stood  for  them.  The  winds 

D  .     .  .    -  - 

were  light  and  variable,  and  by  twelve  o'clock  were 
quite  calm.  At  five,  a  fresh  breeze  blew  from  the 
north ;  the  British  fleet  then  bearing  north,  about 
four  or  five  leagues  distant.  The  vessels  of  the 
American  fleet  wore  in  succession,  and  haled  upon  a 
wind  on  the  larboard  tack.  At  sunset,  the  British 
bore  N.  w.  by  N.  on  the  starboard  tack.  The  wind 
changing  towards  the  westward,  the  American  com- 
modore stood  to  the  northward  all  night  in  order  to 
gain  the  north  shore.  At  daybreak  he  tacked  to  the 
westward,  the  wind  having  then  changed  to  N.  N.  w. 
Soon  after  which  he  discovered  the  British  fleet, 
bearing  s.-w.  The  commodore  made  all  sail  in  chase 
with  the  Asp,  Madison,  and  Fair  American  in  tow. 
To  his  great  disappointment,  the  wind  about  twelve 
o'clock  changed  to  w.  s.  w.  which  again  brought  the 
British  to  windward.  The  commodore  tacked  to 
the  northward  ;  but  at  three  o'clock,  the  wind  in- 
clining to  the  north,  he  wore  to  south  and  west,  and 
made  signal  for  the  fleet  to  make  all  sail.  At  four, 
the  British  bore  s.  s.  w.  The  Americans  steered 
after  them.  At  five,  the  former  were  becalmed  under 
the  land,  while  the  latter  neared  them  very  fast  with 
a  fine  breeze  from  N.  N.  w.  At  six,  the  Americans 


,'v  \[.     P.ATTI.L3. 

formed  in  line  within  four  miles  of  the  British;  the 
wind  being  then  very  light.  At  seven  the  wind  chang- 
ed to  s.  w.  blew  a  fresh  breeze.  This  placed  the  Brit- 
ish to  windward.  The  American  commodore  then 
tacked,  and  haled  upon  a  wind  on  the  laiboard  tack, 
under  easy  sail,  the  British  standing  after  him.  At 
nine  in  the  evening,  the  British  were  within  double 
gun  shot  of  the  rear  of  the  Americans.  They  then 
wore  to  the  southward.  Commodore  Chauncey 
stood  to  the  north  under  easy  sail,  with  his  fleet 
formed  in  two  lines  :  a  part  of  the  schooners  formed 
the  weather  line.  They  were  ordered  to  commence 
the  fire  upon  the  British  as  soon  as  the  shot  of  the 
latter  should  take  effect ;  and,  as  they  approached, 
to  edge  down  upon  the  American  line  to  leeward, 
pass  through  the  intervals,  and  form  to  leeward.  At 
half  past  ten,  the  British  tacked,  and  stood  after  the 
Americans.  At  eleven  o'clock  the  rear  of  the  Amer- 
ican line  opened  a  brisk  fire  upon  the  British,  and 
in  the  course  of  fifteen  minutes  the  fire  became  general 
along  the  weather  line  of  the  Americans.  At  half 
past  eleven  this  line  bore  up,  and  passed  to  leeward, 
except  the  Growler  and  Julia.  These  two  vessels 
tacked  to  the  south,  which  brought  the  British  be- 
tueen  them  and  their  commodore.  The  latter  filled 
his  main-topsail,  and  edged  away  two  points  to  lead 
the  British  down  ;  this  he  did  in  order  to  engage 
them  to  greater  advantage,  and  to  lead  them  from 
the  Growler  and  Julia.  They  however  kept  their 
wind  until  they  separated  these  two  last  mentioned 
vessels  from  the  rest  of  the  American  squadron.  As 

.... 


182  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

they  passed  the  General  Pike,  a  few  shots  were  ex- 
changed without  doing  any  injury.  While  the  British 
were  in  chase  of  the  two  schooners,  the  commodore 
tacked  and  stood  after  them  until  midnight  when  he 
was  forced  to  give  over  the  pursuit  to  rejoin  his 
squadron,  then  to  leeward.  Their  line  was  now 
formed  on  the  starboard  tack.  The  firing  continued 
between  the  two  American  schooners  and  the  Brit- 
ish fleet  until  one  o'clock,  when  the  former  were 
captured.  Soon  after  this,  the  American  fleet  being 
nearly  destitute  of  provisions,  returned  to  Sackett's 
harbour. 

During  a  cruise  in  the  early  part  of  September, 
commodore  Chauncey  fell  in  with  the  British  fleet 
and  chased  them  all  round  the  lake,  when  they  put 
into  Amherst  bay,  after  having  received  considerable 
injury  from  the  fire  of  the  Americans.  This,  bay 
was  so  little  known  to  the  American  pilots,  that  they 
were  unwilling  to  take  the  fleet  in.  Sir  James  Yeo, 
commander  of  the  British  fleet,  had  a  superiority 
over  the  American  commodore,  both  in  guns  and 
men.  His  vessel  also  sailed  better  than  the  Ameri- 
can. 

Commodore  Chauncey  blockaded  the  British  fleet 
in  Amherst  bay  for  four  days,  when  the  wind  blowing 
heavy  from  the  westward,  they  succeeded  in  getting 
into  Kingston  :  upon  which  thq  commodore  returned 
to  Sackett's  harbour,  where  he  remained  only  a  few 
hours,  and  on  the  18th  of  September  sailed  for  Niag- 
ara, where  he  arrived  on  the  24th. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  183 

Commodore  Chauncey  having  ascertained  that  the 
British  squadron  was  in  York  bay,  sailed  from  Niag- 
ara. On  the  27th,  in  the  evening,  owing  to  the  ex- 
treme darkness  of  the  night  a  part  of  his  squadron 
separated,  and  did  not  join  him  until  next  morning. 
On  the  same  day,  the  British  fleet  was  discovered 
under  way  in  York  bay.  The  American  squadron 
sailed  for  them  with  three  schooners  in  tow.  But 
on  the  British  perceiving  the  design  of  the  Ameri- 
cans to  engage  them,  they  tacked,  and  stood  out  of 
the  bay,  the  wind  being  then  at  east.  The  Ameri- 
can commodore  formed  his  line,  and  ran  down  for 
their  centre.  As  soon,  however,  as  he  had  approach- 
ed within  three  miles,  they  made  all  sail  to  the  south- 
ward. The  vessels  of  the  American  squadron  wore 
in  succession,  and  stood  on  the  same  tack  with  the 
British,  and  edged  down  gradually  in  order  to  close. 
At  ten,  past  meridian,  the  British  perceiving  the 
Americans  closing  fast  with  them,  and  that  they 
must  either  risk  an  action,  or  suffer  their  two  rear 
vessels  to  be  cut  off,  they  tacked  in  succession,  begin- 
ning at  the  van,  hoisted  their  colours,  and  commenc- 
ed a  well  directed  fire  at  the  Pike.  This  they  did 
with  a  view  to  cover  their  rear ;  and,  while  passing 
to  leeward,  to  attack  the  rear  of  the  Americans. 
This  commodore  Chauncey  frustrated  by  bearing  up 
in  succession,  with  the  line  preserved,  for  the  centre 
of  the  British,  as  soon  as  their  leading  ship,  the 
Wolfe,  had  passed  the  centre  of  her  line,  and  was 
abeam  of  the  American.  This  manoeuvre  not  only 
covered  the  American  rear,  but  also  threw  the  Bri*.- 

•  •' 


184  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

ish  in  confusion.     They  immediately  bore  away ; 
but  the  Americans  had  closed  so  near  as  to  be  enabled 
to  bring  their  guns  to  bear  with  effect,  and  in  twen- 
ty minutes  after,  the  main  and  mizzen-topmast,  and 
the  main  yard  of  the  British  frigate  Woife,  was  shot 
away.      This    vessel    immediately    put   before    the 
wind,  with   all   sail   set  upon  her  foremast.     The 
American  commodore   made  signal  for  the  fleet  to 
crowd  all  sail  in  pursuit :  but  as  the  Wolfe  kept  right 
before  the    wind,    she   was   enabled    to  outsail  the 
American  squadron,  and  experienced  no  retardment 
from  the  loss  of  her  main  and  mizzen-topmast.     The 
Americans   continued    the   chase   until   near   three 
o'clock-     The  Pike,  with  the  Asp  in  tow,  kept  with- 
in point  blank  shot  of  the  British  during  the  chase, 
and  sustained  the  whole  of  their  fire.     Prudence  for- 
bade any  further  pursuit  on  the  part  of  the  Americans, 
The  Pike  was  much  injured,  owing  to  her  being  so 
long  exposed  to   the  fire  of  the   whole  British  fleet. 
The  most  serious  injury,  however,  she' received  from 
the  bufsting  of  a   gun,  which  killed   and  wounded 
twenty-two  men'.     The  Governor  Tompkins  lost  her 
foremast.     The  American  fleet  returned  to  Niagara. 
On  the  2d  of  October,  commodore  Chauncey  again 
proceeded  in  quest  of  the  British  fleet.     He  discover- 
ed them  steering  a  course  for  Niagara,  with  studding 
sails,  and  all  sails  set,  the  wind  being  from  the  south 
and   westward.     The  commodore  made  all   sail  in 
chase,  but  as  soon  as  his  vessels  were  discovered  by 
the  British,   they  took  in   studding  sails  and  haled 
upon  a  wind  to  the  westward,  and  made  all  sail  from 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  185 

the  Americans.  The  wind  being  light  all  day,  little 
progress  was  made  against  the  current.  By  sun 
down,  the  British  were  off  Twenty  Mile  Creek,  and 
had  got  a  considerable  distance  from  the  Americans. 
At  daylight,  the  British  were  perceived  at  anchor . 
but  as  soon  as  they  saw  the  American  squadron,  they 
weighed  and  made  all  sail  to  the  west.  The  wind 
was  from  south  to  southwest  and  squally.  The 
American  commodore  made  all  sail  in  chase,  and 
continued  it  the  whole  day.  At  sundown,  the  British 
could  scarcely  be  perceived  from  the  mast  head  of 
the  American  vessels.  On  the  following  morning  the 
British  fleet  was  out  of  sight.  Commodore  Chauncey 
then  steered  for  the  Ducks,  with  a  view  of  intercept- 
ing the  British  fleet  on  its  return,  should  it  have  gone 
down  the  lake.  The  wind  increased  to  a  strong 
gale  from  the  northward  and  westward,  and  contin- 
ued during  the  whole  day.  At  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  5th,  seven  sail  were  discovered  near 
the  False  Ducks.  Sail  was  immediately  made  in 
chase  by  the  American  commodore,  who  took  them 
for  the  British  fleet.  But  in  the  course  of  an  hour 
he  ascertained  them  to  be  sloops  and  schooners.  Sig- 
nal was  made  by  the  commodore  for  the  Sylph  and 
Lady  of  the  Lake  to  cast  off  the  vessels  they  had  in 
tow,  and  chase  N.  E.  Soon  after  this  the  British 
were  perceived  separating  on  different  tacks.  The 
Governor  Tompkins  was  now  cast  off  by  the  Pike, 
and  the  commodore  made  all  sail  in  chase  with 
her,  having  lefy  the  American  squadron  in  charge  of 
captain  Crane.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the 
24 


186  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

British  set  fire  to  one  of  their  gun  vessels  that  did  not 
sail  well,  after  having  taken  out  her  people.  At  sun- 
down, and  opposite  the  Real  Ducks,  the  Hamilton, 
Confiance,*  and  Mary- Ann,  struck  to  the  Americans. 
The  Sylph  soon  after  captured  the  Drummond.  The 
Lady  Gore  ran  into  the  Ducks,  but  the  Sylph  being 
left  to  watch  her,  she  was  captured  early  the  next 
morning.  The  only  British  vessel  that  escaped  was 
the  Enterprise,  a  small  schooner.  The  British 
vessels  captured  were  three  gun  vessels  mounting 
from  one  to  three  guns  each.  They  were  trans- 
porting troops  to  Kingston.  The  number  of  prison- 
ers amounted  to  two  hundred  and  sixty-four,  of 
whom  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  were  soldiers. 
The  American  fleet  immediately  after  this  affair,  re- 
turned to  Sackett's  harbour.f 

*  The  Hamilton  and  Confiance;  these  two  vessels  had  not 
long  been  captured  from  the  Americans,  as  already  related,  and 
had  been  in  the  American  service  called  the  Growler  and  Julia. 

t   Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  222—232 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


EVENTS  ON  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN. 

DURING  the  summer  of  the  year  1812,  prepara- 
tions were  made  on  lake  Champlain  to  oppose  the 
naval  force  that  might  be  sent  by  the  British  from 
Isle-au-Noix. 

Nothing  very  interesting  occurred  until  the  3d  of 
June,  1813.  In  consequence  of  some  British  gun 
boats  having  appeared  on  the  American  side  of  the 
line,  the  Growler  and  Eagle  sailed  from  Plattsburgh 
on  the  2d  of  June,  under  the  command  of  lieuten- 
ant Smith,  with  the  intention  of  attacking  them. 
At  dark  on  the  same  day,  they  arrived  within  a  mile 
of  the  boundary  line.  On  the  following  morning,  at 
daybreak,  three  British  gun  boats  were  discovered, 
to  which  the  American  vessels  immediately  gave 
chase.  But  the  wind  being  south,  they  unfortu- 
nately ran  so  far  into  the  narrow  channel,  that  they 
found  it  difficult  to  return.  The  Eagle  not  being 
sufficiently  strong  for  her  weight  of  metal,  became 
unmanageable,  and  sunk  in  shoal  water ;  her  crew 
were  however  saved.  The  Growler  continued  en- 
gaged with  a  number  of  British  gun  boats  until  the 
Eagle  went  down,  when  she  was  compelled  to  yield 
to  a  superior  force  ;  the  action  continued  above  four 
hours.  The  shores  were  lined  with  British  soldiers 
who  from  the  narrowness  of  the  channel  were  ena- 
bled to  do  considerable  execution. 


188  NATAL    BATTLES. 

About  the  commencement  of  .August  the  British 
in  two  large  sloops  of  war,  three  gun  boats,  and  about 
forty  batteaux  full  of  troops  crossed  the  line.  They 
landed  at  Plattsburgh,  where  they  destroyed  all  the 
public  buildings  and  stores.  After  which  they  aban- 
doned the  place. 

The  American  naval  force  on  lake  Champlain  con- 
sisted on  the  20th  of  August  of 

Guns. 

The  President  12 

Commodore  Preble  11 

Montgomery  1 1 

Frances  6 

Two  gun  boats,  one  18  pounder  each  2 

Six  scows,  one  12  pounder  each  6 

48 

In  the  month  of  September,  commodore  Macdon- 
ough  sailed  from  Burlington,  to  the  lines,  and  offer- 
ed the  British  battle;  this  they  refused,  and  sailed 
out  of  the  lake  to  the  northward.* 


BATTLE  OF  PLATTSBURGH. 

ON  the  31st  of  August  1814,  the  advance  of  the 
British  army  under  general  Brisbane,  entered  Cham- 
plain,  and  encamped  on  the  north  side  of  the  Great 
Chazy  river,  and  on  the  same  day  major  general 
*  Clark's  Naval  History,  vol.  i.  p.  232,  233. 


NAVAL  BATTLES.  189 

Mooers  ordered  out  the  militia  of  the  counties  of 
Clinton  and  Essex.  The  regiment  from  Clinton 
county,  under  lieutenant-colonel  Miller,  immediately 
assembled,  and  on  the  2d  September  took  a  position  on 
the  west  road  near  the  village  of  Chazy  ;  and  on  the 
3d  general  Wright  with  such  of  his  brigade  as  had 
arrived,  occupied  a  position  on  the  same  road  about 
eight  miles  in  advance  of  Plattsburgh.  On  the  4th 
the  enemy  having  brought  up  his  main  body  to  Cham- 
plain,  took  up  his  line  of  march  for  that  place.  The 
rifle  corps  under  lieutenant-colonel  Appling,  on  the 
lake  road,  fell  back  as  far  as  Dead  Creek,  blocking 
up  the  road  in  such  manner  as  to  impede  the  advance 
of  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible.  The  enemy  ad- 
vanced on  the  5th  within  a  few  miles  of  lieutenant- 
colonel  Appling's  position,  and  finding  it  too  strong 
to  attack,  halted  and  caused  a  road  to  be  made  west 
into  the  Beekmantown  road,  in  which  the  light  bri- 
gade under  general  Powers  advanced,  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  6th,  about  seven  o'clock,  attacked 
the  militia,  which  had  at  this  time  increased  to  near- 
ly seven  hundred,  under  general  Mooers,  and  a  small 
detachment  of  regulars  under  major  Wool,  about  se- 
ven miles  from  Plattsburgh.  After  the  first  fire,  a 
considerable  part  of  the  militia  broke  and  fled  in 
every  direction.  Many,  however,  manfully  stood 
their  ground,  and,  with  the  small  corps  of  major  Wool, 
bravely  contested  the  ground,  against  five  times  their 
number,  falling  back  gradually  and  occupying  the 
fences  on  each  side  the  road,  till  they  arrived  within 
*  mile  of  the  town,  when  they  were  reinforced  by 


liX)  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

two  pieces  of  artillery,  under  captain  Leonard,  and 
our  troops  occupying  a  strong  position  behind  a  stone 
wall,  for  some  time  stopped  the  progress  of  the 
enemy  :  being  at  length  compelled  to  retire,  they 
contested  every  inch  of  ground  until  they  reached 
the  south  bank  of  the  Saranac,  where  the  enemy  at- 
tempted to  pursue  them  but  was  repulsed  with  loss. 
The  loss  of  the  British  in  this  skirmish  was  colonel 
Wellington  and  a  lieutenant  of  the  third  Buffs,  and 
two  lieutenants  of  the  fifty-eighth  killed,  and  one  cap- 
tain and  one  lieutenant  of  the  fifty-eighth  light  com- 
pany wounded,  together  with  about  one  hundred  pri- 
vates killed  and  wounded  ;  while  that  on  our  part  did 
not  exceed  twenty-five.  The  corps  of  riflemen  un- 
der colonel  Appling,  and  detachment  under  captain 
Sproul,  fell  back  from  their  position  at  Dead  Creek 
in  time  to  join  the  militia,  &c.  just  before  they  en-  * 
tered  the  village,  and  fought  with  their  accustomed 
bravery.  The  British  got  possession  of  that  part  of 
the  village  north  of  the  Saranac  about  eleven  o'clock, 
but  the  incessant  and  well  directed  fire  of  our  artillery 
and  musketry  from  the  forts  and  opposite  bank  com- 
pelled them  to  retire  before  night  beyond  the  reach 
of  our  guns.  The  enemy  arrived  towards  night  with 
his  heavy  artillery  and  baggage  on  the  lake  road  and 
crossed  the  beach,  where  he  met  with  a  warm  re- 
ception from  our  row-galleys,  and  it  is  believed  suf- 
fered a  heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  On  our 
side,  lieutenant  Duncan,  of  the  navy,  lost  an  arm  by 
a  rocket  and  three  or  four  men  were  killed  by  the 
enemy's  artillery.  The  enemy  encamped  on  the 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  191 

ridge  west  of  the  town,  his  right  near  the  river,  and 
occupying  an  extent  of  nearly  three  miles,  his  left 
resting  on  the  lake  about  a  mile  north  of  the  village. 
From  the  6th,  until  the  morning  of  the-  llth,  an  aU 
most  continual  skirmishing  was  kept  up  between  the 
enemy's  pickets  and  our  militia  stationed  on  the  ri- 
ver ;  and  in  the  mean  time  both  armies  were  busily 
engaged — ours  in  strengthening  the  works  of  the 
forts,  and  that  of  the  enemy  in  erecting  batteries, 
collecting  ladders,  bringing  up  his  heavy  ordnance, 
and  making  other  preparations  for  attacking  the  fort. 
On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  a  body  of  the  enemy 
under  captain  Noadie,  attempted  to  cross  at  the  up- 
per bridge,  about  seven  miles  west  of  Plattsburgh, 
but  were  met  by  captain  Vaughan's  company  of 
about  twenty-five  men,  and  compelled  to  retire  with 
the  loss  of  two  killed  and  several  wounded.  On  the 
morning  of  the  llth,  the  enemy's  fleet  came  round 
the  head  with  a  light  breeze  from  the  north,  and  at- 
tacked ours,  which  lay  at  anchor  in  Cumberland  bay, 
two  miles  from  the  shore,  east  of  the  fort.  The  ac- 
tion was  long  and  bloody,  but  decisive  ;  and  the 
event  such  as  we  believe  it  will  always  be  (except  by 
accident)  when  our  navy  contends  with  any  thing 
like  an  equal  force.  The  enemy  commenced  a  simul- 
taneous bombardment  of  our  works  from  seven  bat- 
teries, from  which  several  hundred  shells  and  rockets 
were  discharged,  which  did  us  very  little  injury,  and 
our  artillery  had  nearly  succeeded  in  silencing  all 
before  the  contest  on  the  lake  was  decided.  The 
enemy  attempted  at  the  same  time  to  throw  his  main 


192  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

body  in  rear  of  the  fort,  by  crossing  the  river  three 
miles  west  of  the  town,  near  the  scite  of  Pike's  can- 
tonment. He  succeeded  in  crossing,  after  a  brave 
resistance  by  the  Essex  militia  and  a  few  of  the  Ver- 
mont volunteers,  in  all  about  three  hundred  and  fifty, 
stationed  at  that  place,  who  retired  back  a  mile  and  a 
half  from  the  river,  continually  pouring  in  upon  them 
an  incessant  fire  from  behind  every  tree,  until  lieuten- 
ant Sumpter  brought  up  a  piece  of  artillery  to  their 
support,  when  the  enemy  commenced  a  precipitate 
retreat.  The  Vermont  volunteers,  who  had  hasten- 
ed to  the  scene  of  action  on  the  first  alarm,  fell 
upon  the  enemy's  left  flank  and  succeeded  in  making 
many  prisoners,  including  three  officers.  Had  the 
British  remained  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  thir- 
ty minutes  longer,  they  must  have  lost  nearly  the 
whole  detachment  that  crossed.  Our  loss  in  this  af- 
fair was  five  killed  and  eight  or  ten  wounded,  some 
mortally.  Immediately  on  ascertaining  the  loss  of 
the  fleet,  Sir  George  Prevost  ordered  preparations 
to  be  made  for  the  retreat  of  the  army,  and  set  off 
himself  with  a  small  escort,  for  Canada,  a  little  after 
noon.  The  main  body  of  the  enemy,  with  the  ar- 
tillery and  baggage,  were  taken  off  in  the  afternoon 
.and  night,  and  the  rear  guard,  consisting  of  the  light 
brigade,  started  at  daybreak,  and  made  a  precipitate 
retreat,  leaving  their  wounded  and  a  large  quantity 
of  provisions,  fixed  ammunition,  shot,  shells  and 
other  public  stores  in  the  different  places  of  deposit 
about  their  camp.  They  were  pursued  some  distance 
by  our  troops,  and  many  prisoners  taken  ;  but  owing 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  193 

to  the  very  heavy  and  incessant  rain,  we  were  com- 
pelled to  return.  The  enemy  lost,  upon  land,  more 
than  two  thousand  men  in  killed,  wounded,  prisoners 
and  deserters  ;  while  our  aggregate  loss  did  not  ex- 
ceed one  hundred  and  fifty.* 

£ 

In  September,  1814,  commodore  Macdonough 
succeeded  in  capturing  the  British  fleet,  the  particu- 
lars of  which  will  be  best  related  in  his  letter  to  the 
secretary  of  the  navy,  which  follows. 

United  States  ship  Saratoga,  Plattsburgh  Bay,  September 
13,  1814. 

SIR, — I  have  the  honour  to  give  you  the  particu- 
lars of  the  action  which  took  place  on  the  llth  in- 
stant on  this  lake. 

For  several  days  the  enemy  were  on  their  way,  to 
Plattsburgh  by  land  and  water ;  and  it  being  well 
understood  that  an  attack  would  be  made  at  the  same 
time  by  their  land  and  naval  forces,  I  determined  to 
await  at  anchor  the  approach  of  the  latter. 

At  eight,  A.  M.  the  look-out  boat  announced  the 
approach  of  the  enemy.  At  nine  he  anchored  in  a 
line  ahead,  at  about  three  hundred  yards  distance 
from  my  line ;  his  ship  opposed  to  the  Saratoga,  his 
brig  to  the  Eagle,  captain  Robert  Henley,  his  galleys 
(thirteen  in  number)  to  the  schooner,  sloop,  and  a 
division  of  our  galleys.  Our  remaining  galleys  with 
the  Saratoga  and  Eagle. 

In  this  situation,  the  whole  force  on  both  sidear 
became  engaged  ;  the  Saratoga  suffered  much  front 
*  Sketches  of  the  War,  p  405—407 

25 


T94  NAVAL     BATTLES, 

the  heavy  fire  of  the  Confiance  :  I  could  perceive,  at 
the  same  time,  however,  that  our  fire  was  very  de- 
structive to  her.  The  Ticonderoga,  lieutenant-com- 
mandant Cassin,  gallantly  sustained  her  full  share 
of  the  action.  At  half  past  ten  o'clock,  the  Eagle, 
not  being  able  to  bring  her  guns  to  bear,  cut  her  ca- 
ble and  anchored  in  a  more  eligible  position,  between 
my  ship  and  the  Ticonderoga,  where  she  very  much 
annoyed  the  enemy,  but  unfortunately  leaving  me 
exposed  to  a  galling  fire  from  the  enemy's  brig.  Our 
guns  on  the  starboard  side,  being  nearly  all  dismount- 
ed, or  not  manageable,  a  stern  anchor  was  let  go, 
the  bower  cable  cut,  and  the  ship  winded  with  a 
fresh  broadside  on  the  enemy's  ship,  which  soon  af- 
ter surrendered.  Our  broadside  was  then  sprung 
to  bear  on  the  brig,  which  surrendered  in  about  fif- 
teen minutes  after. 

The  sloop  that  was  opposed  to  the  Eagle,  had 
struck  some  time  before,  and  drifted  down  the  line  ; 
the  sloop  which  wras  with  their  galleys  having  struck 
also.  Three  of  their  galleys  are  said  to  be  sunk, 
and  the  others  pulled  off.  Our  galleys  were  about 
obeying  with  alacrity  the  signal  to  follow  them,  when 
all  the  vessels  were  reported  to  me  to  be  in  a  sinking 
state  :  it  then  became  necessary  to  annul  the  signal 
to  the  galleys,  and  order  their  men  to  the  pumps. 

I  could  only  look  at  the  enemy's  galleys  going  off  in 
a  shattered  condition,  for  there  was  not  a  mast  in  eith- 
er squadron  that  could  stand  to  make  sail  on  ;  the 
lower  rigging,  being  nearlv  all  shot  away,  hung  do*.\  n 
as  though  it  had  been  just  placed  over  the  mast  heads. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  195 

The  Saratoga  had  fifty  five  round  shot  in  her  hull ; 
the  Confiance  one  hundred  and  five.  The  enemy's 
shot  passed  principally  just  over  our  heads,  as  there 
were  not  twenty  whole  hammocks  in  the  nettings  at 
the  close  of  the  action,  which  lasted,  without  inter- 
mission, two  hours  and  twenty  minutes. 

The  absence  and  sickness  of  lieutenant  Raymond 
Perry,  left  me  without  the  services  of  that  excellent 
officer;  much  ought  fairly  to  be  attributed  to  him 
for  his  great  care  and  attention  in  disciplining  the 
ship's  crew,  as  her  first  lieutenant.  His  place  was 
filled  by  a  gallant  young  officer,  lieutenant  Peter 
Gamble,  who,  I  regret  to  inform  you,  was  killed 
early  in  the  action.  Acting  lieutenant  Valette  work- 
ed the  1st  and  2d  divisions  of  guns  with  able  effect. 
Sailing-master  Brum's  attention  to  the  springs,  and 
in  the  execution  of  the  order  to  wind  the  ship,  and 
occasionally  at  the  guns,  meets  my  entire  approba- 
tion ;  also  captain  Young,  commanding  the  acting 
marines,  who  took  his  men  to  the  guns.  Mr.  Beale, 
purser,  was  of  great  service  at  the  guns,  and  in  car- 
rying my  orders  throughout  the  ship,  with  Midship- 
man Montgomery.  Master's  jnate  Joshua  Justin, 
had  command  of  the  3d  division  ;  his  conduct  during 
the  action,  was  that  of  a  brave  and  correct  officer. 
Midshipmen  Monteath,  Graham,  Williamson,  Platt, 
Thwing,  and  acting  midshipman  Baldwin,  all  behav- 
ed well,  and  gave  evidence  of  their  making  valuable 
officers. 

The  Saratoga  was  twice  set  on  fire  by  hot  shot 
from  the  enemy's  ship. 


196 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


I  close,  sir,  this  communication  with  feelings  of 
gratitude  for  the  able  support  I  received  from  every 
officer  and  man  attached  to  the  squadron  which  I 
have  the  honour  to  command. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  servant, 

T.  MACDONOUGH. 

Hon.  WM.  JONES,  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 

The  following  is  a  comparative  view  of  the  force 
and  loss  of  the  British  and  American  fleets : 

BRITISH. 

Guns.      Men.    Killed.*  Wounded. 
Large  ship,  39 

Brig  Linnet,  16 

Sloop,  formerly  Growler,  1 1 
Sloop,  do.  Eagle,  11 
13  Gun  boats,f  18 


300 

50 

60 

120 

20 

30 

40 

6 

10 

40 

8 

10 

550 

Total,        95     1050 
AMERICAN. 


84       110 


Saratoga,  ship, 
Eagle,  brig, 


Ticonderoga,  sch'r. 


Guns. 

Men. 

Killed. 

Wounded. 

26 

210 

28 

29 

20 

120 

13 

20 

17 

110 

6 

6 

7 

30 

2 

0 

16 

350 

3 

3 

Total, 


86 


820        52 


58 


*  This  is  a  statement  of  what  were  found  on  board  the  British 
vessels.  Many  were  thrown  overboard  during  the  action;  and  it 
was  supposed  the  whole  number  of  killed  and  wounded  amount- 
ed to  two  hundred  and  sixty. 

f  Two  probably  sunk. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  197 

The  British  officers  killed,  were  commodore  Dow- 
ney, and  three  lieutenants.  The  American  officers 
killed,  were  lieutenants  Gamble  and  Stansbury  ;  the 
latter  of  whom  was  knocked  overboard  and  not 
found.  Commodore  Macdonough  escaped  without 
injury. 

The  British  officers  taken  were  captain  Pring  and 
six  or  eight  lieutenants.  The  wounded  were  parol- 
ed and  sent  by  a  flag  to  the  Isle-au-Noix. 

The  British  large  ship  proved  to  be  a  very  fine 
vessel  of  her  class,  having  two  gun  decks  in  her  bow 
and  stern,  and  mounting,  among  her  guns,  twenty- 
eight  long  twenty-four  pounders,  a  battery  which  few 
frigates  of  the  British  navy  can  boast. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  the  interment  of  the 
American  and  British  officers,  who  fell  in  the  memo- 
rable battle  of  the  llth,  took  place  at  Plattsburgh, 
in  a  manner  to  do  honour  to  the  bravery  with  which 
they  defended  they  respective  flags.  The  coffins  of 
the  American  officers,  covered  with  the  flags  of  their 
vessels,  were  taken  on  board  a  boat  from  the  com- 
modore's ship  and  followed  by  him  and  his  offi- 
cers, in  another  boat,  to  the  British  ship,  where  they 
took  on  board  the  deceased  British  officers,  covered 
with  the  flags  of  their  own  vessels,  and  proceeded 
to  the  shore,  followed  by  their  surviving  officers, 
During  the  procession,  minute  guns  were  fired  from 
the  commodore's  ship. 

At  the  land  they  were  received  by  an  escort  of 
infantry  and  artillery,  and  joined  by  a  large  number 
of  the  officers  of  the  army  ;  and  while  they  proceed- 


19t?  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

ed  to  the  public  burying  ground,  minute  guns  were 
also  fired  from  the  fort.  At  the  grave,  a  discharge 
of  musketry  and  artillery  closed  the  scene. 

The  following  amount  of  property  was  said  to  have 
been  taken  from  on  board  the  enemy's  fleet,  at  the 
time  of,  and  subsequent  to  its  capture  : — seventeen 
thousand  weight  of  powder,  exclusive  of  fixed  am- 
munition for  the  ships  ;  between  eighty  and  ninety 
thousand  weight  of  balls,  &c. ;  six  hundred  muskets  ; 
six  hundred  suits  of  sailor's  clothing  ;  and  the  winter 
clothing  for  the  whole  of  the  land  army. 

In  the  beginning  of  November,  six  tons  of  eight 
inch  shells  were  taken  out  of  the  lake  at  Chazy  by 
the  Americans,  which  had  been  secreted  by  the  ene- 
my in  his  incursion.  A  transport  sloop  was  also 
raised  at  Isle  la  Mott,  which  had  been  sunk  by  the 
enemy,  loaded  with  naval  stores  and  various  instru- 
ments of  war 


* 
ATTACK  ON  BALTIMORE. 

ON  Saturday  the  10th  of  September,  information 
was  received  that  the  enemy  was  ascending  the 
Chesapeake,  and  on  Sunday  morning  his  ships  were 
seen  at  the  mouth  of  the  Patapsco  river,  (which  com- 
municates with  the  basin  on  which  Baltimore  stands) 
in  number  to  forty  to  fifty.  Some  of  his  vessels  en- 


NAVAL    BATTLES,  199 

tered  the  river,  while  others  proceeded  to  North 
Point,  (at  the  mouth  of  the  Patapsco,)  fourteen  miles 
from  Baltimore,  and  commenced  the  debarkation  of 
their  troops  in  the  night,  and  was  finished  early  next 
morning.  The  following  extracts  of  a  letter  from 
general  Smith  to  the  secretary  of  war,  gives  an  ac- 
count of  the  events  which  followed  : 

"  Baltimore,  September  19,  1814 

"I  HAVE  the  honour  of  stating,  that  the  enemy 
landed  between  seven  and  eight  thousand  men  on 
Monday  the  10th  instant,  at  North  Point,  fourteen 
miles  distant  from  this  town.  Anticipating  this  de- 
barkation, general  Strieker  had  been  detached  on 
Sunday  evening  with  a  portion  of  his  brigade  on  the 
North  Point  road.  Major  Randel,  of  the  Baltimore 
county  militia,  having  under  his  command  a  light 
corps  of  riflemen  and  musketry  taken  from  general 
Stanbury's  brigade  and  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  was 
detached  to  the  mouth  of  Bear  Creek,  with  orders  to 
co-operate  with  general  Strieker,  and  to  check  any 
landing  which  the  enemy  might  attempt  in  that  quar- 
ter. On  Monday,  brigadier  general  Strieker  took  a 
good  position  at  the  junction  of  the  two  roads  leading 
from  this  place  to  North  Point,  having  his  right 
flanked  by  Bear  Creek,  and  his  left  by  a  marsh. 
He  here  awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  having 
sent  on  an  advance  corps  under  the  command  of 
major  Heath  of  the  5th  regiment.  This  advance 
was  met  by  that  of  the  enemy,  and  after  some  skir- 
mishing it  returned  to  the  line,  the  main  body  of  the 


200  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

enemy  being  at  a  short  distance  in  the  rear  of  their 
advance.  Between  two  and  three  o'clock,  the  ene- 
my's whole  force  came  up  and  commenced  battle  by 
some  discharges  of  rockets,  which  were  succeeded  by 
the  cannon  from  both  sides,  and  soon  after  the  action 
became  general  along  the  line.  General  Strieker 
gallantly  maintained  his  ground  against  a  great  supe- 
riority of  numbers  during  the  space  of  an  hour  and 
twenty  minutes,  when  the  regiment  on  his  left  (the 
fifty-first)  giving  way,  he  was  under  the  necessity  of 
retiring  to  the  ground  in  his  rear,  where  he  had  sta- 
tioned one  regiment  as  a  reserve.  He  here  formed 
his  brigade  ;  but  the  enemy  not  thinking  it  advisable 
to  pursue,  he,  in  compliance  with  previous  arrange- 
ments, fell  back  and  took  post  on  the  left  of  my  in- 
trenchments,  and  a  half  mile  in  advance  of  them. 

44  In  this  affair  the  citizen  soldiers  of  Baltimore, 
with  the  exception  of  the  fifty-first  regiment,  have 
maintained  the  reputation  they  so  deservedly  acquir- 
ed at  Bladensburg,  and  have  given  their  country  and 
their  city  an  assurance  of  what  may  be  expected 
from  them  when  their  services  are  again  required.  I 
cannot  dismiss  the  subject  without  expressing  the 
heartfelt  satisfaction  I  experience  in  thus  bearing 
testimony  to  the  courage  and  good  conduct  of  my 
fellow  townsmen.  About  the  time  general  Strieker 
had  taken  the  ground  just  mentioned,  he  was  joined 
by  brigadier  general  Winder,  who  had  been  stationed 
on  the  west  side  of  the  city,  but  was  now  ordered 
to  march  with  general  Douglass'  brigade  of  Virginia 
militia  and  the  United  States  dragoons  under  captain 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  201 

Bird,  and  take  post  on  the  left  of  general  Strieker. 
During  these  movements,  the  brigades  of  generals 
Stansbury  and  Foreman,  the  seamen  and  marines 
under  commodore  Rodgers,  the  Pennsylvania  volun- 
teers under  colonels  Corbeau  and  Findley,  the  Balti- 
more artillery  under  colonel  Harris,  and  the  marine 
artillery  under  captain  Stiles,  manned  the  trenches 
and  the  batteries — all  prepared  to  receive  the  enemy. 
We  remained  in  this  situation  during  the  night. 

"  On  Tuesday,  the  enemy  appeared  in  front  of  my 
intrenchments,  at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  on  the 
Philadelphia  road,  from  whence  he  had  a  full  view  of 
our  position.  He  manoeuvred  during  the  morning 
towards  our  left,  as  if  with  the  intention  of  making 
a  circuitous  march,  and  coming  down  on  the  Hart- 
ford and  York  roads.  Generals  Winder  and  Strieker 
were  ordered  to  adapt  their  movements  to  those  of 
the  enemy,  so  as  to  baffle  this  supposed  intention. 
They  executed  this  order  with  great  skill  and  judg- 
ment, by  taking  an  advantageous  position,  stretching 
from  my  left  across  the  country,  when  the  enemy 
was  likely  to  approach  the  quarter  he  seemed  to 
threaten.  This  movement  induced  the  enemy  to 
concentrate  his  forces  (between  one  and  two  o'clock) 
in  my  front,  pushing  his  advance  to  within  a  mile  of 
us,  driving  in  our  videttes,  and  showing  an  intention 
of  attacking  us  that  evening.  I  immediately  drew 
generals  Winder  and  Strieker  nearer  to  the  left  of 
my  intrenchments,  and  to  the  right  of  the  enemy, 
with  the  intention  of  their  falling  on  his  right  or  rear, 
should  he  attack  me  ;  or  if  he  declined  it,  of  attack- 
26 


202  .NAVAL  BATTLES. 

ing  him  in  the  morning.  To  this  movement  and  to 
the  strength  of  my  defences,  which  the  enemy  had 
the  fairest  opportunity  of  observing,  I  am  induced  to 
attribute  his  retreat,  which  commenced  at  half  past 
one  o'clock  on  Wednesday  morning.  In  this  he  was 
so  favoured  by  the  extreme  darkness  and  a  continued 
rain,  that  we  did  not  discover  it  until  daylight.  I 
consented  to  general  Winder's  pursuing  with  the  Vir- 
ginia brigade  and  the  United  States  dragoons ;  at 
the  same  time  major  Randal  was  despatched  with  his 
light  corps  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy's  right,  whilst  the 
whole  of  the  militia  cavalry  was  put  in  motion  for 
the  same  object.  All  the  troops  were,  however,  so 
worn  out  with  continued  watching,  and  with  being 
under  arms  during  three  days  and  nights,  exposed  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  to  very  inclement  weather, 
that  it  was  found  impracticable  to  do  any  thing  more 
than  pick  up  a  few  stragglers.  The  enemy  com- 
menced his  embarkation  that  evening,  and  completed 
it  the  next  day  at  one  o'clock.  It  would  have  been 
impossible,  even  had  our  troops  been  in  a  condition 
to  act  offensively,  to  have  cut  off  any  part  of  the 
enemy's  rear  guard  during  the  embarkation,  as  the 
point  where  it  was  effected  was  defended  from  our 
approach  by  a  line  of  defences  extending  from  Back 
river  to  Humphrey's  Creek  on  the  Patapsco,  thrown 
up  by  ourselves  previous  to  their  arrival. 

"  I  have  now  the  pleasure  of  calling  your  atten- 
tion to  the  brave  commander  of  fort  M'Henry*  major 
Annstead,  and  to  the  operations  confined  to  that 

*  Fort  M'Henry  is  about  two  miles  from  the  city  of  Baltimore. 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  203 

quarter.  The  enemy  made  his  approach  by  water 
at  the  same  time  that  his  army  was  advancing  on  the 
land,  and  commenced  a  discharge  of  bombs  and  rock- 
ets at  the  fort  as  soon  as  he  got  within  range  of  it. 
The  situation  of  major  Armstead  was  peculiarly 
trying — the  enemy  having  taken  his  position  at  such 
a  distance  as  to  render  offensive  operations  on  the 
part  of  the  fort  entirely  fruitless,  while  their  bombs 
and  rockets  were  every  moment  falling  in  and  about 
it — the  officers  and  men  being  at  the  same  time  en- 
tirely exposed.  The  vessels,  however,  had  the  temer- 
ity to  approach  somewhat  nearer — they  were  as 
soon  compelled  to  withdraw.  During  the  night, 
whilst  the  enemy  on  land  was  retreating,  and  whilst 
the  bombardment  was  the  most  severe,  two  or  three 
rocket  vessels  and  barges  succeeded  in  getting  up 
the  Ferry  Branch ;  but  they  were  soon  compelled  to 
retire,  by  the  forts  in  that  quarter,  commanded  by 
lieutenant  Newcomb  of  the  navy,  and  lieutenant 
Webster  of  the  flotilla.  These  forts  also  destroyed 
one  of  the  barges,  with  all  oil  board.  The  barges 
and  battery  at  the  Lazaretto,  under  the  command  of 
lieutenant  Rutter  of  the  flotilla,  kept  up  a  brisk  and 
it  is  believed  a  successful  fire  during  the  hottest  period 
of  the  bombardment.  The  loss  in  fort  M'Henry  was 
four  killed  and  twenty-four  wounded,  amongst  the 
former  I  have  to  lament  the  fall  of  lieutenants  Cla- 
gett  and  Clamm,  who  were  both  estimable  citizens 
and  useful  officers. 

Of  general  Strieker's  brigade,  the  number  of  killed 
and  wounded  amounts  to  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 


204  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

among  the  former  this  city  has  to  regret  the  loss 
of  its  representative  in  the  state  legislature,  James 
Lovvry  Donaldson,  esquire,  adjutant  of  the  twenty- 
seventh  regiment.  This  gentleman  will  ever  be  re- 
membered by  his  constituents  for  his  zeal  and  talents, 
and  by  his  corps  for  his  bravery  and  military  know- 
ledge. 

"  I  cannot  conclude  this  report  without  informing 
you  of  the  great  aid  I  have  derived  from  commodore 
Rodgers.  He  was  ever  present  and  ever  ready  to 
afford  his  useful  counsel,  and  to  render  his  important 
services.  His  presence,  with  that  of  his  gallant  offi- 
cers and  seamen,  gave  confidence  to  every  one. 

"  The  enemy's  loss,  in  his  attempt  on  Baltimore, 
amounts,  as  near  as  we  can  ascertain,  to  between  six 
and  seven  hundred  killed,  wounded  and  missing," 


BATTLE  OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 

ON  the  27th  December  1814,  general  Jackson  ar- 
rived at  New  Orleans  with  his  army,  where  he  im- 
mediately began  the  inspection  of  the  different  forts 
and  works  down  the  Mississippi  river.  On  the 
morning  of  the  1st  of  January,  the  enemy  had  ad- 
vanced within  six  hundred  yards  of  our  breast-works, 
under  cover  of  night  and  a  heavy  fog,  and  erected 
three  different  batteries,  mounting  in  all  fifteen  guns, 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  205 

from  6's  to  32's.  About  eight  o'clock,  when  the  fog 
cleared  off,  they  commenced  a  most  tremendous  fire, 
which  was  amply  returned  by  our  men,  and  a  heavy 
cannonading  was  kept  up,  without  the  least  interval 
on  either  side,  except  that  occasioned  by  the  explo- 
sion of  two  small  magazines,  owing  to  their  con- 
greve  rockets.  At  four  o'clock,  p.  M.  we  had  dis- 
mounted all  their  guns  but  two.  During  the  night 
the  enemy  retreated  to  their  strong  holds,  about  a 
mile  and  a  quarter  from  our  lines.  Our  loss  was 
eleven  killed  and  twenty-three  wounded :  that  of 
the  enemy  must  have  been  much  more.  A  32  pound- 
er from  a  battery  commanded  by  commodore  Pat- 
terson, killed  fifteen  at  one  shot.  The  Louisiana  this 
day  fired  seven  hundred  shot. 

On  the  2d  of  January,  general  Jackson  received 
at  New  Orleans  and  its  vicinity,  reinforcements  from 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  amounting  to  three  or  four 
thousand,  which,  with  his  former  force,  gave  him  an 
army  of  between  seven  and  eight  thousand,  of  whom 
not  more,  however,  than  one  half  were  armed.  In 
consequence  of  the  great  number  of  men  arriving 
with  their  arms  in  bad  order,  and  of  the  scarcity  of 
good  muskets  with  bayonets,  four  companies  of  Unit- 
ed States  troops  gave  up  theirs,  amounting  to  about 
five  hundred,  to  arm  the  men  at  the  camp,  and  armed 
themselves  with  fowling  pieces  and  pikes. 

On  the  6th  of  January  sailing-master  Johnson  of 
the  United  States  navy,  with  a  launch  and  three 
small  boats,  manned  with  thirty-eight  men,  succeed- 
ed in  burning  a  British  transport  brig  on  Lake 


206  NAVA.L     BATTLES. 

Borgne,  and  in  capturing  a  number  of  prisoners. 
The  brig  was  laden  with  provisions  and  clothing. 
On  the  same  day,  twenty-one  sail  of  British  vessels 
arrived  off  Cat  island,  upon  the  coast  opposite  the 
bay  of  St.  Louis,  with  a  large  reinforcement  of  troops, 
commanded  by  general  Lambert.  On  the  7th,  these 
troops  were  disembarked  at  the  bayou  Bienvenu : 
and  lieutenant-general  sir  Edward  Pakenham,  (broth- 
er-in-law of  lord  Wellington)  assumed  command  of 
the  whole  British  army,  amounting  to  twelve  thou- 
sand men. 

For  two  or  three  days  previous  to  this,  part  of  the 
forces  of  the  enemy  had  been  employed  in  preparing 
scaling  ladders  and  collecting  fascines  (made  of  su- 
gar canes)  for  their  intended  assault  upon  our  lines  ; 
while  others  were  widening  and  deepening  the  canal 
which  leads  from  the  bayou  Bienvenu  towards  the 
Mississippi,  and  which,  on  the  evening  of  the  7th, 
was  cut  through  to  admit  the  river.  Through  this 
canal  they  floated  or  dragged  twenty-four  of  their 
smaller  boats,  containing  twenty-five  men  each,  and 
thus  transported  about  six  hundred  men  to  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  river.  Some  distance  above  the 
spot  where  they  landed,  two  batteries  had  been  con- 
structed and  placed  under  the  direction  of  commo- 
dore Patterson.  The  enemy's  troops  which  had  thus 
crossed,  were  intended  to  attack  the  commodore's 
batteries  and  create  a  diversion  on  that  side  of  the 
river,  while  the  main  attack  was  carried  on  on  the 
other  side.  Accordingly  on  the  morning  of  the  8th, 
they  silently  drew  out  a  large  force  to  storm  our 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  207 

lines,  their  columns  advancing  unperceived  in  the  ob- 
scurity of  the  morning,  to  within  about  half  a  mile 
of  our  camp,  where  they  met  and  drove  in  our  piquet 
guard.  About  day-break  they  advanced  with  great 
vivacity  to  the  entrenchment,  led  gallantly  on  by 
their  officers ;  when  the  intrepid  Jackson  and  his 
brave  men  opened  a  most  tremendous  and  deadly 
fire  upon  them  from  our  works,  which  ended  in 
a  dreadful  slaughter  and  total  defeat  of  the  enemy. 
General  Jackson  officially  reports  to  the  secretary 
at  war  an  account  of  this  battle  in  the  following 
words : — 

Camp,  4  miles  below  Orleans,  January  9,  1815 

SIR, — During  the  days  of  the  6th  and  7th,  the 
enemy  had  been  actively  employed  in  making  prepar- 
ations for  an  attack  on  my  lines.  With  infinite  la- 
bour they  had  succeeded  on  the  night  of  the  6th  in 
getting  their  boats  across  the  lake  to  the  river,  by 
widening  and  deepening  the  canal  on  which  they  had 
effected  their  disembarkation.  It  had  not  been  in 
my  power  to  impede  these  operations  by  a  general 
attack  ;  added  to  other  reasons,  the  nature  of  the 
troops  under  my  command,  mostly  militia,  rendered 
it  too  hazardous  to  attempt  extensive  offensive  move- 
ments in  an  open  country,  against  a  numerous  and 
well  disciplined  army.  Although  my  forces,  as  to 
number,  had  been  increased  by  the  arrival  of  the 
Kentucky  division,  my  strength  had  received  very 
little  addition  ;  a  small  portion  only  of  that  detach- 
ment being  provided  with  arms.  Compelled  thus  to 


208  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

wait  the  attack  of  the  enemy,  1  took  every  measure 
to  repel  it  when  it  should  be  made,  and  to  defeat  the 
object  he  had  in  view.  .  General  Morgan  with  the 
Orleans  contingent,  the  Louisiana  militia  and  a  strong 
detachment  of  the  Kentucky  troops,  occupied  an  in- 
trenched camp  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  pro- 
tected by  strong  batteries  on  the  bank,  erected  and 
superintended  by  commodore  Patterson. 

In  my  encampment  every  thing  was  ready  for  ac- 
tion, when,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  ene- 
my after  throwing  a  heavy  shower  of  bombs  and 
congreve  rockets,  advanced  their  columns  on  my 
right  and  left,  to  storm  my  intrenchments.  I  cannot 
speak  sufficiently  in  praise  of  the  firmness  and  delib- 
eration with  which  the  whole  line  received  their  ap- 
proach— more  could  not  have  been  expected  from 
veterans  inured  to  war. — For  an  hour,  the  fire  of  the 
small  arms  was  as  incessant  and  severe  as  can  be 
imagined.  The  artillery,  too,  directed  by  officers 
who  displayed  equal  skill  and  courage,  did  great  ex- 
ecution. Yet  the  columns  of  the  enemy  continued  to 
advance  with  a  firmness  which  reflects  the  greatest 
credit.  Twice  the  column  which  approached  me  on 
my  left,  was  repulsed  by  the  troops  of  general  Car- 
roll, those  of  general  Coffee,  and  a  division  of  the 
Kentucky  militia,  and  twice  they  formed  again  and 
renewed  the  assault.  At  length,  however,  cut  to 
pieces,  they  fled  in  confusion  from  the  field,  leaving 
it  covered  with  their  dead  and  wounded. 

The  loss  which  the  enemy  sustained  on  this  occa- 
sion, cannot  be  estimated  at  less  than  fifteen  hundred 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  209 

in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners.  Upwards  of  three 
hundred  have  already  been  delivered  over  for  burial ; 
and  my  men  are  still  engaged  in  picking  them  up 
within  my  lines  and  carrying  them  to  the  point  where 
the  enemy  are  to  receive  them. — This  is  an  addition 
to  the  dead  and  wounded  whom  the  enemy  have  been 
enabled  to  carry  from  the  field,  during,  and  since  the 
action,  and  to  those  who  have  since  died  of  the 
wounds  they  received.  We  have  taken  about  five 
hundred  prisoners,  upwards  of  three  hundred  of  whom 
are  wounded,  and  a  great  part  of  them  mortally. 
My  loss  has  not  exceeded,  and  I  believe  has  not 
amounted  to  ten  killed  and  as  many  wrounded.  The 
entire  destruction  of  the  enemy's  army  was  now  inevi- 
table had  it  not  been  for  an  unfortunate  occurrence 
which  at  this  moment  took  place  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river.  Simultaneously  with  his  advance  upon  my 
lines,  he  had  thrown  over  in  his  boats  a  considerable 
force  to  the  other  side  of  the  river.  This  having 
landed,  was  hardly  enough  to  advance  against  the 
works  of  general  Morgan  ;  and,  what  is  strange  and 
difficult  to  account  for,  at  the  very  moment  when  its 
entire  discomfiture  was  looked  for  with  a  confidence 
approaching  to  certainty,  the  Kentucky  reinforce- 
ments, in  whom  so  much  reliance  had  been  placed, 
ingloriously  fled,  drawing  after  them  by  their  exam- 
ple, the  remainder  of  the  forces  ;  and  thus  yielded  to 
the  enemy  that  most  fortunate  position.  The  bat- 
teries which  had  rendered  me,  for  many  days,  the 
most  import  service,  though  bravely  defended,  were 

27 


210  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

of  course  now  abandoned ;  not,  however,  until  the 
guns  had  been  spiked. 

This  unfortunate  route  had  totally  changed  the  as- 
pect of  affairs.  The  enemy  now  occupied  a  position 
from  which  they  might  annoy  us  without  hazard, 
and  by  means  of  which  they  might  have  been  en- 
abled to  defeat,  in  a  great  measure,  the  effects  of 
our  success  on  this  side  the  river.  It  became  there- 
fore an  object  of  the  first  consequence  to  dislodge 
him  as  soon  as  possible.  For  this  object,  all  the 
means  in  my  power,  which  I  could  with  any  safety 
use,  were  immediately  put  in  preparation.  Perhaps, 
however,  it  was  owing  somewhat  to  another  cause 
that  I  succeeded  even  beyond  my  expectations.  In 
negotiating  the  terms  of  a  temporary  suspension  of 
hostilities  to  enable  the  enemy  to  bury  their  dead  and 
provide  for  their  wounded,  I  had  required  certain 
propositions  to  be  acceded  to  as  a  basis ;  among 
which  this  was  one — that  although  hostilities  should 
cease  on  this  side  the  river  until  twelve  o'clock  of 
this  day,  yet  it  was  not  to  be  understood  that  they 
should  cease  on  the  other  side  ;  but  that  no  reinforce- 
ments should  be  sent  across  by  either  army  until  the 
expiration  of  that  day.  His  excellency  Maj.  Gen. 
Lambert  begged  time  to  consider  of  these  proposi- 
tions until  ten  o'clock  of  to-day,  and  in  the  meantime 
recrossed  his  troops.  I  need  not  tell  you  with  how 
much  eagerness  I  immediately  regained  possession 
of  the  position  he  had  thus  hastily  quitted. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  211 

In  a  subsequent  letter,  general  Jackson  states  the 
loss  of  the  enemy  to  have  been  much  greater  than 
what  he  at  first  computed.  Upon  information  which 
was  believed  to  be  correct,  colonel  Haynes  re- 
ported it  to  have  been  in  total  two  thousand  six 
hundred,  viz.  seven  hundred  killed,  fourteen  hundred 
wounded,  and  five  hundred  prisoners,  including  one 
major,  four  captains,  eleven  lieutenants,  and  one  en- 
sign, who  were  among  the  latter.  The  American 
loss  on  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi  was  thirteen 
killed,  thirty-nine  wounded,  and  nineteen  missing — 
total  seventy-one.  Of  this  number  six  were  killed 
and  seven  wounded  in  the  action  on  the  eastern  bank 
of  the  river,  and  the  residue  in  a  sortie  after  the  ac- 
tion and  in  the  action  on  the  western  bank.  Among 
the  British  officers  killed  were  Sir  Edward  Paken- 
ham,  lieutenant-general  and  commander  in  chief, 
(cut  asunder  by  a  cannon  ball)  major-general  Gibbs, 
colonel  Raynor,  majors  Pringle,  Whitaker  and  Wilk- 
inson. Among  their  wounded  was  major-general 
Keane,  severely. 

Numerous  accounts  official  as  well  as  unofficial, 
represent  this  battle  to  have  been  the  greatest  ever 
fought  on  the  American  continent.  For  disparity  of 
loss  a  parallel  can  scarcely  be  found  in  ancient  or 
modern  history.  So  determined  were  the  enemy  to 
carry  our  works  that  many  came  up  to  the  very 
muzzles  of  our  guns,  and  some  penetrated  into  our 
lines,  where  they  were  either  killed  or  taken  prison- 
ers. Many  fell  mounting  the  breast-works ;  others 
were  slain  upon  the  works  ;  and  the  ditch  in  front 


212  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

was,  in  many  places,  literally  filled  with  dead  and 
wounded.  The  roar  of  artillery  from  our  lines  was 
incessant,  while  an  unintermitted  rolling  fire  was 
kept  up  from  our  muskets.  The  atmosphere  was 
filled  with  sheets  of  fire  and  volumes  of  smoke.  For 
an  hour  and  a  quarter  the  enemy  obstinately  con- 
tinued the  assault ;  fresh  men  constantly  arriving  to 
fill  up  their  lines  thinned  by  our  fire.  Their  deter- 
mined perseverance  and  steady  valour,  were  worthy 
of  a  better  cause  ;  nor  did  their  troops  falter,  until 
almost  all  the  officers  who  had  lead  them  to  the  at- 
tack had  fallen.  At  one  time,  a  body  of  the  enemy 
succeeded  in  gaining  possession  of  a  bastion  on  our 
right  with  three  pieces  of  cannon  in  it ;  but  so  de- 
structive was  our  fire,  that  every  man  who  entered 
was  either  killed  bv  our  riflemen  or  disabled  before 

*/ 

they  could  spike  the  guns.  Our  men  soon  returned 
to  the  charge  and  regained  the  bastion.  So  intent 
were  the  enemy  in  getting  over  our  works,  that  they 
pulled  off  their  shoes  for  the  purpose  of  climbing 
them ;  but  nearly  all  who  made  the  attempt  were 
either  killed  or  taken  prisoners. 

The  guns  of  commodore  Patterson's  batteries,  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  did  great  execution, 
until  the  retreat  of  the  Kentucky  troops,  who  had 
been  posted  near  them.  The  commodore,  finding 
himself  thus  deserted,  was  compelled,  with  a  handful 
of  brave  men,  to  retire,  after  spiking  his  guns.  The 
British  afterwards  burnt  the  gun  carriages,  being 
foiled  in  their  expectations  of  using  the  guns  to  an- 
noy our  troops  on  the  opposite  shore. 


NAVAL   BATTLES.  213 

Previous  to  the  battle  of  the  8th  of  January,  the 
pirates  of  'Barataria,  who  had  been  held  in  custody, 
were  released  by  order  of  general  Jackson,  upon  condi- 
tion that  they  would  assist  in  defending  the  city  of 
New-Orleans.  In  the  battle  of  that  day  they  proved 
themselves  excellent  artillerists,  and  were,  together 
with  a  few  Frenchmen,  successfully  employed  in 
serving  the  pieces.  They  were  afterwards  released 
from  any  further  confinement,  having  received  (at 
the  request  of  the  general  assembly  of  Louisiana)  a 
full  pardon  from  the  president  of  the  United  States. 

Soon  after  the  battle,  the  enemy  sent  in  a  flag  of 
truce,  and  twenty-four  hours  were  allowed  them  to 
remove  and  bury  their  dead.  In  one  small  spot  alone, 
on  the  left  of  our  lines,  they  found  three  hundred  and 
sixty-eight  dead  bodies.  In  the  course  of  the  day 
forty  carts  and  ten  boats  arrived  at  New  Orleans, 
loaded  with  \vounded  prisoners,  who  were  put  into 
the  barracks,  which  were  converted  into  temporary 
hospitals ;  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  unwounded 
prisoners  were  also  put  in  confinement. — To  the 
wounded  every  attention  was  paid  by  the  citizens ; 
the  nuns  of  the  convent  took  the  glorious  lead.  They 
under  the  immediate  superintendance  of  the  Abbe 
Douburg,  threw  open  their  doors  and  converted  all 
their  houses,  separated  from  their  main  building,  into 
a  hospital,  where  they  themselves,  at  their  own  ex- 
pense, and  with  their  own  hands,  took  care  of  the 
sick  and  wounded.  The  ladies  of  New-Orleans 
were  also  employed  in  the  same  charitable  acts  of 
benevolence,  as  likewise  in  making  clothes  for  our 


214  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

soldiers.  The  future  historian  will  delight  to  con- 
trast the  destroying  and  brilliant  virtues  of  the  one 
sex,  with  the  preserving  and  not  less  attracting  vir- 
tues of  the  other. 

Immediately  after  their  repulse,  the  enemy  com- 
menced active  operations  for  a  re-embarkation  of  their 
troops.  Nearly  the  whole  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
were  sent  on  board  their  vessels,  together  with  such 
baggage  and  munitions  of  war  as  could  be  safely 
spared.  During  these  operations,  the  enemy  kept  up 
a  menacing  attitude — frequent  indications  were  given 
of  an  intention  to  renew  the  attack  on  our  lines,  and 
vigorous  works  of  defence  were  thrown  up  in  front 
of  our  camp.  The  rear  of  their  army  retired  first, 
while  they  displayed  a  numerous  body  of  men  to  the 
view  of  our  troops,  and  at  night  their  fires  seemed 
rather  to  increase  than  diminish.  They  had  erected 
batteries  to  cover  their  retreat,  in  advantageous  posi- 
tions, from  their  original  encampment,  to  the  bayou 
through  which  they  entered  lake  Borgne.  The 
cannon  placed  on  these  batteries  would  have  raked 
a  pursuing  army  in  every  direction,  and  any  attempt 
to  storm  them  would  have  been  attended  with  very 
great  slaughter.  Having  made  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements, the  whole  British  army  precipitately 
retreated  on  the  night  of  the  18th  of  January  ;  an 
account  of  which  was  officially  given  by  general 
Jackson  to  the  secretary  of  war. 

The  enemy's  loss  after  decampment,  and  on  ship- 
board, (including  about  three  hundred  drowned  while 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  215 

passing  to  and  from  their  shipping,)  amount  to  four 
thousand  eight  hundred.* 

The  American  loss  in  the  several  engagements, 
was  fifty-five  killed,  one  hundred  and  eighty-five 
wounded,  and  ninety-three  missing — total,  three 
hundred  and  thirty-three.  Of  our  forces  actually 
engaged  (including  marines  as  well  as  land  troops) 
the  following  is  a  correct  statement : — In  the  action 
of  the  28th  of  December,  three  thousand  two  hundred 
and  eighty-two  ;  1st  of  January,  three  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  sixty-one  ;  8th  of  January,  four  thousand 
six  hundred  and  ninety-eight.  The  enemy's  force 
previous  to  the  6th  of  January,  was  nine  thousand  ; 
after  that  time  it  was  increased  to  twelve  thousand. 


CRUISE  OP  THE  PRESIDENT. 

On  the  18th  February,  1814,  commodore  Rod- 
gers  arrived  at  Sandy  Hook  in  the  United  States 
frigate  President  from  a  cruise  in  the  course  of  which 

o 

she  passed  most  of  the  West  India  Islands.  After 
being  off  Charleston  two  days  she  was  chased  by  a 
seventy-four,  two  frigates,  and  several  sloops  of  war. 
She  had  captured  and  sunk  three  British  merchant- 
men, and  taken  on  board  thirty  prisoners. 

*  A  number  of  British  deserters  and  prisoners  have  stated 
their  loss  to  have  exceeded  five  thousand  ;  and  it  is  worthy  of 
remark,  that  the  British  official  account  of  the  action  on  the  8th 
of  January  represents  it  as  very  considerably  surpassing  the 
utatement  given  by  general  Jackson. 


216  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

One  occurrence  that  took  place  during  this  cruise 
is  truly  deserving  of  record.  Several  strange  sail 
were  observed,  and  one  large  ship  to  the  windward, 
that  proved  to  be  a  seventy  four,  which  came  down 
within  gunshot.  Commodore  Rodgers  had  cleared 
ship  for  action,  and  continued  with  the  main  top-sail 
to  the  mast.  After  hauling  her  wind  on  the  larboard 
tack,  the  enemy  kept  her  distance,  and  the  Presi- 
dent remained  three  hours  with  her  main  top-sail  to 
the  mast.  As  the  enemy  evinced  no  disposition  to 
engage,  the  President  gave  her  a  shot  to  windward 
and  hoisted  colours — the  seventy-four  then  bore  up, 
and  backed  main  top-sail  when  she  had  approached 
within  gun  shot.  After  mustering  all  hands  aft, 
commodore  Rodgers  addressed  them  in  a  spirited 
and  appropriate  manner,  and  immediately  gave  or- 
ders to  wear  ship  for  the  engagement.  While  back- 
ing to  meet  the  cutter,  and  take  a  pilot  on  board,  the 
commodore  was  surprised  to  observe  the  enemy  stand- 
ing off  to  the  southward  and  eastward.  A  frigate 
and  gun  brig  appearing  in  sight,  he  hauled  in  main 
and  fore  tacks  and  made  for  land. 

For  the  space  of  five  hours  the  enemy  had  it  at  all 
times  in  his  power  to  bring  the  President  to  action, 
and  she  lay  in  readiness  with  main  top-sail  aback 
and  expecting  him. 

Captain  Lloyd  who  commanded  the  seventy-four, 
which  proved  to  be  the  Plantagenet,  states  that  his 
crew  was  in  a  state  of  mutiny,  and  gives  this  as  a 
reason  for  declining  an  engagement  with  the  Presi- 
dent. 


NAVAL  BATTLES. 


218  NAVAL     BATTLES 


ESCAPE    OF   THE    CONSTITUTION     FROM    THE 
TENEDOS  AND  ENDYMION. 

ON  the  3d  of  April,  1814,  the  United  States  frig- 
ate Constitution,  captain  Stewart,  arrived  at  Mar- 
blehead,  having  been  chased  in  by  the  British  frig- 
ates Tenedos  and  Endymion,  of  thirty-eight  guns 
each,  which  had  been  in  chase  of  her  from  daylight. 
The  frigates,  or  one  of  them,  it  is  said,  got  within 
two  or  three  miles  of  the  Constitution,  at  one  time, 
and  to  effect  her  escape  she  was  obliged  to  throw 
overboard  her  provisions,  &c.  and  every  thing  move- 
able,  and  started  all  her  water.  Some  prize  goods 
were  likewise  thrown  over. 

She  immediately  anchored  above  fort  Sewall,  in  a 
posture  of  defence,  her  exposed  situation  rendering 
her  liable  to  an  attack,  should  she  remain  there  long. 
In  order  to  the  protection  of  the  frigate  and  the  town, 
a  number  of  heavy  cannon  were  sent  over  from  Sa- 
lem, and  major  general  Hovey  issued  an  order  for 
the  Marblehead  battalion  of  artillery  to  hold  itself  in 
readiness  to  act.  Commodore  Bainbridge,  to  whom 
an  express  had  been  sent,  despatched  assistance  from 
the  navy  yard  in  Charlestown,  and  the  company  of 
New  England  Guards  began  their  march  from  Bos- 
ton, to  afford  such  aid  as  might,  be  required  of  them. 
l!ut  towards  evening  the  Constitution  weighed  an- 
thoi  and  came  round  into  Salem  harbour. 

[Salem  Ga/ettc. 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


219 


$20  NAVAL    BATTLES, 


HORNET    AND  PENGUIN. 

ON  the  23d  of  March,  1815,  as  the  Hornet,  com- 
manded  by  captain  Biddle,  was  about  to  anchor  off 
the  north  end  of  the  island  of  Tristan  d'Acuna,  a 
sail  was  seen  to  the  southward ;  which,  at  forty 
minutes  past  one,  hoisted  English  colours,  and  fired 
a  gun.  The  Hornet  immediately  luffed  to,  hoisted 
an  ensign,  and  gave  the  enemy  a  broadside.  A 
quick  and  well  directed  fire  was  kept  up  from  the 
Hornet,  the  enemy  gradually  drifting  nearer,  with 
an  intention,  as  captain  Biddle  supposed,  to  board. 
The  enemy's  bowsprit  came  in  between  the  main  and 
mizzen  rigging  on  the  starboard  side  of  the  Hornet, 
giving  him  an  opportunity  to  board,  if  he  had  wish" 
ed,  but  no  attempt  was  made.  There  was  a  consid- 
erable swell,  and  as  the  sea  lifted  the  Hornet  ahead, 
the  enemy's  bowsprit  carried  away  her  mizzen 
shrouds,  stern  davits,  and  spanker  booms,  and  hung 
upon  her  larboard  quarter.  At  this  moment  an  offi- 
cer called  out  that  they  had  surrendered.  Captain 
Biddle  directed  the  marines  to  stop  firing,  and, 
while  asking  if  they  had  surrendered,  received  a 
wound  in  the  neck,  The  enemyjust  then  got  clear 
of  the  Hornet ;  and  his  foremast  and  bowsprit  being 
both  gone,  and  perceiving  preparations  to  give  him 
another  broadside,  he  again  called  out  that  he  had 
surrendered.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  cap- 
tain Biddle  could  restrain  his  crew  from  firing  into 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


221 


222  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

him  again,  as  it  was  certain  he  had  fired  into  the 
Hornet  after  having  surrendered.  From  the  firing 
of  the  first  gun  to  the  last  time  the  enemy  cried  out 
that  he  had  surrendered,  was  exactly  twenty-two 
minutes.  The  vessel  proved  to  be  the  British  brig 
Penguin,  of  twenty  guns,  a  remarkably  fine  ves- 
sel of  her  class,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-two 
men ;  twelve  of  them  supernumeraries  from  the 
Medway,  seventy-four,  received  on  board  in  conse- 
quence of  their  being  ordered  to  cruise  for  the  priva- 
teer Young  Wasp. 

The  Penguin  had  fourteen  killed  and  twenty-eight 
wounded.  Among  the  killed  was  captain  Dicken- 
son,  who  fell  at  the  close  of  the  action-  As  she  was 
completely  riddled,  and  so  crippled  as  to  be  incapa- 
ble of  being  secured,  and  being  at  a  great  distance 
from  the  United  States,  captain  Biddle  ordered  her 
to  be  scuttled  and  sunk. 

The  Hornet  did  not  receive  a  single  round  shot  in 
her  hull ;  and  though  much  cut  in  her  sails  and  rig- 
ging, was  soon  made  ready  for  further  service.  Her 
loss  was  one  killed  and  eleven  wounded. 


ESCAPE  OF  THE  HORNET. 

ON  the  28th  of  April,  1815,  the  Hornet  was  chas- 
ed by  a  British  seventy-four,  and  was  compelled  to 
throw  over  her  guns,  shot,  spars,  &c.  She  escaped, 
and  put  in  at  St.  Salvador.  On  his  arrival  at  that 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  223 

port,    captain    Biddle    received   information   of  the 
peace  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain. 

On  the  return  of  captain  Biddle  to  the  United 
States  a  naval  court  of  inquiry  was  held  by  order 
of  the  secretary  of  the  navy,  on  board  the  Hornet,  in 
the  harbour  of  New  York,  on  the  23d  of  August, 
1815,  to  investigate  the  causes  of  the  return  of  that 
ship  into  port,  and  to  inquire  into  the  circumstances 
attending  the  loss  of  armament,  stores,  &.c.  during 
her  cruise  ;  and  the  following  opinion  has  been  pro- 
nounced by  the  court : 

The  court,  after  mature  deliberation  on  the  testi- 
mony adduced,  are  of  opinion,  that  no  blame  is  im- 
putable  to  captain  Biddle,  on  account  of  the  return 
of  the  Hornet  into  port,  with  the  loss  of  her  arma- 
ment, stores,  &c.  and  that  the  greatest  applause  is 
due  to  him  for  his  persevering  gallantry  and  nautical 
skill,  evinced  in  escaping,  under  the  most  disadvan- 
tageous circumstances,  after  a  long  and  arduous  chase 
by  a  British  line-of-battle  ship. 

SAMUEL  EVANS,  President. 
HENRY  WHEATON,  Special  Judge  Advocate. 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 


PRIVATE  ARMED  VESSELS. 


THE  ATLAS. 

THE  privateer  schooner  Atlas,  of  nineteen  guns, 
captain  David  Moffat,  soon  after  the  declaration  of 
war,  sailed  from  Philadelphia.  On  the  third  of 
August,  at  eight  A.  M.  she  discovered  two  sail,  for 
which  she  bore  away.  At  eleven  o'clock,  the  action 
was  commenced  by  the  Atlas,  with  a  broadside  and 
musketry.  She  continued  engaged  with  both  ships 
till  noon,  when  the  smallest  one  struck  her  colours. 
The  Atlas  then  directed  the  whole  of  her  fire  against 
the  large  ship ;  when  the  small  one,  though  her 
colours  were  down,  renewed  her  fire  on  the  At- 
las, which  had  to  recommence  firing  on  her.  In  a 
few  minutes  every  man  was  driven  from  her  decks. 
Twenty  minutes  after  twelve,  the  large  ship  struck. 
Possession  was  immediately  taken  of  both  of  them. 
One  proved  to  be  the  ship  Pursuit,  captain  Chivers, 
of  four  hundred  and  fifty  tons,  sixteen  guns,  and 
thirty-five  men.  The  other  was  the  ship  Planter, 
captain  Frith  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  tons,  twelve 
guns,  and  fifteen  men.  The  cargoes  of  both  were 
very  valuable. 

The  Atlas  had  two  men  killed  and  five  wounded, 
and  her  rigging  and  sails  much  injured.  She  arriv- 
ed safe  in  port  with  the  Pursuit ;  the  Planter  was 
recaptured  off  the  capes  of  Delaware. 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  225 


THE  YOUNG  EAGLE, 

OF  New  York,  of  one  gun  and  forty-two  men, 
engaged  the  British  armed  ship  Granada,  of  eleven 
guns  and  thirty  men,  and  another  armed  vessel  in 
company  with  her.  After  an  action  of  an  hour  and 
a  half,  the  Young  Eagle  succeeded  in  capturing  them 
both. 


THE  MONTGOMERY, 

CAPTAIN  UPTON,  of  Boston,  mounting  twelve 
guns,  on  the  6th  of  December,  1812,  off  Surinam, 
fell  in  with  the  British  vessel  of  war  Surinam,  of 
twenty  guns.  They  lay  board  and  board  for  half  an 
hour.  Some  of  the  privateer's  men  lashed  the  bob- 
stay  of  the  Surinam  to  the  Montgomery's  main-mast. 
So  spirited  was  the  resistance  on  both  sides,  that 
neither  could  succeed  in  boarding.  One  of  the 
Montgomery's  eighteen  pounders  was  repeatedly 
discharged  into  the  bows  of  her  antagonist  between 
wind  and  water.  As  soon  as  the  two  vessels  parted, 
the  Surinam  made  sail  from  the  Montgomery.  Her 
foremost  was  shot  away,  and  she  was  otherwise  so 
much  disabled,  as  to  be  compelled  to  put  into  an 
outport  to  refit,  without  proceeding  to  the  common 
place  of  rendezvous  at  Barbadoes. 
29 


226  NAVAL     BATTLES. 


THE  DOLPHIN, 

OF  Baltimore,  of  ten  guns  and  sixty  men,  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  year,  engaged  two  British  armed 
vessels  at  the  same  time,  the  one  of  sixteen  guns 
and  forty  men,  and  the  other  of  ten  guns  and  twenty- 
five  men.  She  captured  them  both. 


THE  ROLLA, 

OF  Baltimore,  of  nineteen  guns,  captured  seven 
vessels  in  one  cruise,  the  guns  of  which  amounted 
to  fifty-eight,  and  the  prisoners  to  one  hundred  and 
fifty. 


THE    HAZARD, 

OF  Charleston,  of  three  guns  and  thirty-eight  men, 
commanded  by  Placide  le  Chartier,  while  at  anchor 
off  the  island  of  Davie,  discovered  a  man  of  war 
brig  convoying  five  merchantmen.  One  of  these  last, 
having  lost  her  mizzenmast,  could  not  keep  up  with 
the  rest  of  the  convoy.  As  soon  as  they  were  out 
of  sight,  the  Hazard  pursued  her,  to  which,  after 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  227 

some  resistance,  she  struck.  She  proved  to  be  the 
Albion,  of  London,  copper-bottomed,  and  of  three 
hundred  tons  burden,  navigated  by  fifteen  men,  and 
mounting  twelve  guns. 

While  the  Hazard  was  lying  off  Charleston,  in  a 
fog,  her  prize  was  separated  from  her,  and  recaptured 
by  a  British  Cutter,  the  Caledonia,  of  eight  guns 
and  thirty-eight  men.  Three  days  after,  on  the  22d 
of  February,  the  Hazard  discovered  Jier  prize  in 
company  with  the  above-mentioned  British  cutter. 
The  Hazard  commenced  a  pursuit  of  them  both.  As 
soon  as  the  Hazard  came  within  musket  shot,  she 
commenced  firing  at  the  ship  and  cutter,  which  was 
returned  by  them  with  spirit,  and  apparent  deter- 
mination. At  three  o'clock,  the  second  lieutenant, 
carpenter,  and  five  men  of  the  Hazard,  were  severely 
wounded.  At  five,  the  cutter  hauled  off  to  repair 
the  damages  she  had  sustained.  At  half  past  five, 
the  Hazard  came  close  to  the  cutter,  the  crew  of 
the  former,  having  determined  to  lose  their  lives 
sooner  than  give  up  so  valuable  a  prize.  At  half 
past  six  the  British  cutter  again  hauled  off,  and  con- 
tinued to  fire  at  a  distance.  Taking  advantage  of 
this,  the  Hazard  bore  down  on  the  prize,  and  after  a 
brisk  fire  caused  her  to  strike  her  colours.  She  was 
then  ordered  to  lie  to. 

The  British  cutter  having  shot  ahead,  Le  Chartier 
instantly  gave  chase,  keeping  up  a  brisk  fire.  He 
pursued  her  until  eight  o'clock.  The  cutter  then 
ceased  firing,  and  hailed,  saying  she  had  struck,  and 
signified  the  same  by  hoisting  and  lowering  a  lantern 


NAVAL     BATTLES. 

three  times.  The  Hazard  having  then  but  twenty- 
One  men,  including  the  captain  on  board,  it  was  not 
thought  advisable  to  take  possession  of  her.  She 
bore  down  for  the  prize,  of  which  she  took  possession, 
leaving  a  prize-master,  and  six  men  on  board  of  her 
so  that  there  only  remained  fourteen  men  on  board 
of  the  Hazard.  Both  the  Hazard  and  her  prize  ar- 
rived safe  at  St.  Mary's. 


THE  COMET, 

Jr  ;  .-.«. •'.'-• 

OF  Baltimore,  captain  Boyle,  of  twelve  guns  and 
one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  being  on  a  cruise,  dis- 
covered, on  the  14th  of  January,  1813,  four  sail 
standing  out  of  Pernambuco.  She  lay  by  to  give 
them  an  opportunity  of  getting  off  shore,  with  a 
view  of  then  cutting  them  off.  At  three  r.  M.  they 
were  upon  a  wind  standing  s.  E.  and  about  six 
leagues  from  land.  The  Comet  bore  up,  and  made 
sail  in  chase.  At  six,  one  of  them  was  discovered 
to  be  a  large  man  of  war  brig.  All  hands  were  im- 
mediately called  to  quarters  on  board  the  Comet ; 
the  guns  were  loaded  with  round  and  grape  shot  ; 
and  the  ship  cleared  for  action.  At  seven,  being 
close  to  the  chase,  she  hoisted  her  colours,  and  came 
close  to  the  man  of  war  brig,  which  had  hoisted 
Portuguese  colours.  The  commander  hailed,  and 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  229 

sent  an  officer  on  board  the  Comet,  who  informed 
captain  Boyle,  that  the  brig  was  a  Portuguese  na- 
tional vessel,  mounting  twenty  thirty-two  pounders 
and  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  men ;  that  the  three 
others  were  strongly  armed  English  vessels :  and 
that  he  must  not  molest  them.  Captain  Boyle  in- 
formed him  that  he  certainly  should  make  use  of 
every  exertion  to  capture  them.  The  Portuguese 
said  he  was  ordered  to  protect  them,  and  certainly 
should. 

The  English  vessels  were  ahead  of  the  Comet. 
They  consisted  of  a  ship  of  fourteen  guns,  and  two 
brigs  of  ten  guns  each.  So  that  including  the  Por- 
tuguese vessel,  the  Comet  had  a  force  of  fifty-four 
guns  to  oppose.  Captain  Boyle  immediately  made 
sail  for  them  ;  came  up  with  the  ship,  hailed  her, 
and  ordered  the  captain  to  have  the  mainsail  back- 
ed. He  gave  little  or  no  answer.  The  Comet  hav- 
ing shot  ahead,  captain  Boyle  informed  him,  that 
he  should  be  along  in  a  few  minutes,  when  if  he  did 
not  obey  his  orders,  he  would  pour  a  broadside  into 
the  ship.  In  a  few  minutes  the  Comet  tacked,  the 
Portuguese  sloop  of  war  being  close  after  her,  and 
ran  along  side  of  the  ship,  one  of  the  brigs  being 
close  to  her.  The  Comet  opened  a  broadside  on 
them  both.  It  was  now  about  half  past  eight  P.  M. 
All  the  vessels  were  carrying  a  press  of  sail.  The 
Comet,  from  her  superior  sailing,  was  frequently 
obliged  to  tack.  From  this  she  would  have  profit- 
ed very  much,  had  not  the  Portuguese  sloop  of  war 
been  so  close.  The  latter  now  opened  a  heavy 


230  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

fire  on  the  Comet,  with  round  and  grape  shot, 
which  she  returned.  The  Comet  had  now  the  whole 
force  of  the  four  vessels  to  contend  with.  She, 
however,  kept  as  closely  as  possible  to  the  English 
vessels.  They  frequently  separated,  to  give  the 
sloop  of  war  an  opportunity  of  firing  into  the  Comet. 
The  latter  as  frequently  poured  whole  broadsides 
into  them  ;  at  times  also  into  the  sloop  of  war. 

About  eleven  P.  M.  the  ship  surrendered — she  was 
cut  to  pieces,  and  rendered  unmanageable.  Soon 
after  the  brig  Bowes  struck — she  also  was  much  in- 
jured. A  boat  was  sent  to  take  possession  of  her  ;  as 
it  passed  the  sloop  of  war,  a  broadside  was  fired 
by  ner,  which  nearly  sunk  it,  and  obliged  it  to  return. 
The  Comet  then  commenced  a  brisk  fire  at  the 
sloop  of  war,  which  sheered  ofif  to  some  distance. 
After  following  her  a  short  distance,  she  obliged  the 
third  English  vessel  to  strike.  The  latter  was  very 
much  cut  to  pieces.  The  Comet  now  again  proceed- 
ed to  take  possession  of  the  Bowes,  when  she  spoke 
the  ship  that  had  first  surrendered — her  captain  be- 
ing ordered  to  follow,  informed  captain  Boyle  that 
his  ship  was  in  a  sinking  condition,  having  many 
shot  holes  between  wind  and  water,  and  every  rope 
on  board  of  her  being  cut  away.  At  half  past  one, 
A.  M.  the  Bowes  was  taken  possession  of  and  man- 
ned. The  sloop  of  war  then  fired  a  broadside  into 
the  prize,  and  passed  her.  The  moon  was  non- 
down,  and  it  became  quite  dark  and  squallv.  This 
caused  the  Comet  to  separate  from  the  other  vessels, 
excepting  the  sloop  of  war,  with  which  broadsides 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  231 

were  frequently  exchanged.  At  two,  she  stood  to 
the  south.  Captain  Boyle  now  thought  it  most  pru- 
dent to  take  care  of  one  of  the  prizes  until  daylight, 
the  other  two  being  out  of  sight.  At  daybreak,  the 
sloop  of  war,  and  the  two  other  prizes,  a  ship 
and  brig,  were  discovered.  The  Comet  immediately 
hove  about,  and  stood  for  them.  The  sloop  tacked, 
and  made  signals  for  her  convoy  to  make  for  the 
first  port.  Captain  Boyle,  knowing  the  situation  of 
the  ship  and  brig,  determined  not  to  take  possession 
of  them,  but  to  watch  their  manoeuvres.  Great  ex- 
ertions appeared  to  be  made  to  keep  them  from 
sinking. 

Captain  Boyle  was  afterwards  informed  that  the 
sloop  of  war,  was  much  injured — she  had  five  men 
killed,  and  a  number  wounded.  The  ship's  mast 
scarcely  lasted  to  carry  her  into  Pernambuco.  Her 
cargo  was  nearly  all  damaged.  It  was  with  diffi- 
culty the  brig  was  kept  from  sinking  before  she 
reached  Pernambuco  harbour. 

After  capturing  the  Aberdeen,  of  eight  guns,  two 
vessels  of  ten  guns  each,  in  sight  of  a  sloop  of  war, 
and  a  schooner,  captain  Boyle  returned  to  the  Unit- 
ed States.  He  passed  the  blockading  squadron  in 
the  Chesapeake,  and  arrived  safe  at  Baltimore. 


232  NAVAL    BATTLES. 


THE  GENERAL  ARMSTRONG, 

A  SCHOONER  of  eighteen  guns,  commanded  by 
captain  Champlin,  was  cruising  off  Surinam,  on  the 
11  th  March,  1813.  At  seven  A.  M.  she  discovered 
a  sail,  which  at  half  past  eight,  fired  three  guns,  and 
hoisted  English  colours.  About  nine,  the  Armstrong 
fired  a  gun,  and  hoisted  American  colours.  At  half 
after  nine,  the  British  vessel  tacked,  and  stood  as 
near  the  Armstrong  as  the  wind  would  permit,  keep- 
ing up  a  brisk  fire  from  her  main  deck  guns.  At 
half  past  ten,  the  Armstrong  bore  down,  intending  to 
pour  her  starboard  broadside  into  her,  then  wear  ship, 
discharge  the  larboard  broadside,  and  then  board. 
This  was  done,  except  the  boarding.  The  English 
vessel  was  now  discovered  to  be  a  frigate  pierced  for 
twenty-four  guns.  She  kept  up  a  constant  fire  on 
the  Armstrong,  which  lay  for  ten  minutes  like  a  log. 
The  fore-top-sail  and  mizzen-gaff  halyards  of  the 
frigate  were  shot  away.  This  brought  down  her 
colours.  The  crew  of  the  Armstrong,  thinking  she 
had  struck,  ceased  firing.  But  they  were  soon  again 
seen  flying,  and  the  action  was  renewed.  The  fri- 
gate lay  for  a  few  minutes  apparently  unmanageable. 
She  soon,  however,  recovered,  and  opened  a  heavy 
fire  from  her  starboard  broadside  and  main-top  ;  ap- 
parently with  the  intention  of  sinking  the  Armstrong. 
The  latter  lay  for  the  space  of  forty-five  minutes 
within  pistol  shot  of  the  frigate.  Captain  ChampHu 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  233 

was  standing  by  the  centre  gun,  in  the  act  of  firing 
his  pistol,  when  he  was  wounded  by  a  musket  tall 
from  the  main-top  of  the  frigate.  The  Armstrong 
luffed  to  windward,  and  forereached  the  frigate. 

The  Armstrong  had  six  men  killed,  and  sixteen 
wounded,  and  was  very  much  injured  in  her  rigging, 
masts,  and  hull — she,  however,  succeeded  in  escap- 
ing from  the  frigate. 


THE  YOUNG  TEAZER, 

CAPTAIN  DOBSON,  of  New  York,  was  chased  into 
Halifax  by  the  Sir  John  Sherbroke,  a  vessel  of  supe- 
rior force.  When  within  the  light  house  she  hoisted 
English  colours  over  the  American,  and  was  chased 
nearly  up  to  the  forts,  when  the  Sir  John  Sherbroke 
supposing  her  to  be  a  prize,  hove  about,  and  put  to 
sea.  As  soon  as  the  latter  was  out  of  sight,  the 
Young  Teazer  hauled  down  her  English  colours, 
and  effected  her  escape. 


THE  DECATUR, 

OF  Charleston,  mounting  seven  guns,  with  a  crew 

of  one  hundred  and  three  men,  and  commanded  by 

captain  Diron,  being  on  a  cruise  in  the  month  of 

August,  discovered  a  ship  and  schooner.    She  imrne- 

30 


234  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

diately  stood  towards  them  to  reconnoitre.     At  half 
past  twelve,  the  Decatur  was  abreast  of  the  schooner, 
which  hoisted  English  colours.     At  one  the  Decatur 
wore  round  ;  and  half  an  hour  after  the  schooner  fired 
a  shot  without  effect.     The  captain  of  the  Decatur 
immediately  gave  orders  to  prepare  for  action.     At 
two  o'clock  the  schooner  fired  another  shot,  which 
passed  over  the  Decatur.     At  a  quarter  past  two,  the 
latter   fired   her   large  gun,  and  hoisted  American 
colours  at  the  peak  :  two  more  discharges  were  made 
from  the  same  piece,  which  were  answered  by  two 
guns  from  the  British  schooner.     The  two  vessels 
were  now  within  half  gun  shot  distance.     Captain 
Diron,  observing  that  the  schooner  was  prepared  to 
bear  away,  hauled  upon  the  larboard  tack,  in  order 
to  present  the  bow  of  his  vessel  <to  his  antagonist. 
Soon  afterwards  the  latter  fired  bet  whole  broadside, 
which  only  slightly  damaged  the  Decatur's  rigging. 
This  was  returned  from  the  eighteen  pounder  of  the 
Decatur.     Her  captain  at  the  same  time,  ordered 
every  one  of  the  crew  to  his  post,  in  order  to  carry 
the  British  vessel  by  boarding,  fts  soon  -as  the  neces- 
sary preparations  for  the  purpose  should  be  made. 
It  was  now  three  quarters  of  an  hour  past  two,  and 
the  vessels  were  within  pistol  shot  of  each  other.    A 
severe  fire  of  musketry  commenced  from  the  Deca- 
tur.    The    British  schooner  bore  away  to  prevent 
being  boarded  ;  and  fired  a  broadside  into  the  Deca- 
tur, which  killed  two  of  her  men,  and  injured  her 
rigging  and  sails.     The  Decatur  closely  followed  her 
antagonist  in  her  manoeuvres,  and  again  endeavoured 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  235 

'" 

to  board,  which  the  schooner  once  more  avoided,  and 
fired  another  broadside.  A  third  attempt  was  made 
by  the  captain  of  .the  Decatur  to  board.  The  jib* 
boom  of  the  Decatur  was  run  into  the  mainsail  of 
the  schooner,  and  the  latter  not  being  able  to  disen- 
gage herself  dropped  along  side.  During  this  ma- 
noeuvre the  fire  from  the  cannon  and  musketry  on 
both  sides  was  extremely  severe  and  destructive. 
While  the  two  vessels  lay  in  this  position  captain 
Diron  ordered  his  whole  crew,  armed  with  pistols, 
sabres,  £,c.  to  board,  which  was  performed  with,  the 
greatest  promptness.  The  resistance  of  the  English 
was  desperate.  Fire  arms  soon  became  useless,  and 
the  contest  was  carried  on  with  the  cutlass.  The 
captain  and  principal  officers  of  the  British  vessel 
being  killed,  and  her  deck  covered  with  dead  and 
wounded,  her  colours  were  hauled  down,  by  the  crew 
of  the  Decatur,  when  the  two  vessels  were  separat- 
ed, having  their  rigging  and  sails  cut  to  pieces. 

The  English  vessel  was  his  Britannick  majesty's 
schooner  Dominica,  of  fifteen  guns,  with  a  crew  of 
eighty-eight  men.  The  Decatur  had  four  men  killed 
and  sixteen  wounded  ;  the  Dominica  thirteen  killed 
and  forty -seven  wounded.  Among  the  killed  of  the 
Dominica  was  her  brave  commander,  who,  as  long 
as  he  lived,  refused  to  surrender  his  vessel,  and  de- 
clared his  determination  not  to  survive  her  loss. 

The  king's  packet  Princess  Charlotte,  remained  an 
inactive  spectator  of  this  bloody  contest,  which  lasted 
an  hour.  As  soon  as  the  vessels  were  disengaged, 
she  tacked  about  and  stood  to  the  southward.  She 


236  NAtAL    BATTLES. 

had  sailed  from  St.  Thomas,  under  convoy  of  the 
Dominica.  The  Decatur  and  her  prize  arrived  safe 
in  port. 


THE  SARATOGA, 

OP  four  guns  and  one  hundred  and  sixteen  men, 
belonging  to  New  York,  while  cruising  off  Surinam 
river,  in  the  month  of  September,  discovered  the 
British  packet,  brig  Morgiana,  of  eighteen  guns, 
with  a  crew  of  about  fifty  men,  commanded  by 
James  Cunningham.  Captain  Aderton,  the  com- 
mander of  the  Saratoga,  immediately  gave  chase : 
when  within  musket  shot,  the  Morgiana  hoisted 
English  colours,  and  the  action  commenced  :  part 
of  the  time  the  vessels  were  within  pistol  shot :  the 
remainder,  they  were  close  along  side  of  each  other. 
After  an  action  of  an  hour  and  a  quarter  the  Sarato- 
ga succeeded  in  capturing  the  British  vessel  by 
boarding*  The  action  was  extremely  severe.  Both 
vessels  were  almost  reduced  to  wrecks.  The  Sara- 
toga had  almost  all  her  stays,  shrouds,  &c.  cut  away. 
In  her  mainsail  there  were  upwards  of  a  hundred 
shot  holes.  A  number  of  shot  also  struck  her  masts, 
spars,  and  hull.  The  crew  of  the  Morgiana  fought 
with  ^desperation.  She  had  two  men  killed  and 
eight  wounded.  The  Saratoga  had  two  men  killed 
and  five  wounded.  Both  arrived  safe  in  port. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  237 


THE  GENERAL  ARMSTRONG. 

THE  following  letter  from  John  D.  Dabney,  Esq. 
American  consul  at  Fayal,  (Portugal,)  gives  the  par- 
ticulars of  a  flagrant  violation  of  the  neutrality  of  that 
port,"  in  an  attack  upon  the  privateer  General  Arm- 
strong, by  the  enemy.  The  Armstrong  belonged  to 
New  York,  and  mounted  eight  long  nines  and  a 
twenty-four  pounder. 

Fayal,  October  5,  1814. 

SIR, — I  have  the  honour  to  state  to  you  that  a 
most  outrageous  violation  of  the  neutrality  of  this 
port,  in  utter  contempt  of  the  laws  of  civilized  na- 
tions, has  recently  been  committed  here,  by  the  com- 
manders of  his  Britannick  majesty's  ships  Plantaga- 
net,  Rota  and  Carnation,  against  the  American  pri- 
vate farmed  brig  General  Armstrong,  Samuel  C. 
Reid,  commander ;  but  I  have  great  satisfaction  in 
being  able  to  add,  that  this  occurrence  terminated  in 
one  of  the  most  brilliant  actions  on  the  part  of  captain 
Reid,  his  brave  pfficers  and  crew,  that  can  be  found 
on  naval  record. 

The  American  brig  came  to  anchor  in  this  port  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  26th  of  September,  and  at  sun- 
set of  the  same  day,  the  above  named  ships  sudden- 
ly appeared  in  these  roads  ;  it  being  nearly  calm  in 
the  port,  it  was  rather  doubtful  if  the  privateer  could 
escape  if  she  got  under  way,  and  relying  on  the  jus- 
tice and  good  faith  of  the  British  captains,  it  was 


238  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

deemed  most  prudent  to  remain  at  anchor.  A  little 
after  dusk  captain  Reid  seeing  some  suspicious  move- 
ments on  the  part  of  the  British,  began  to  warp  his 
vessel  close  under  the  guns  of  the  castle,  and  while 
doing  so,  he  was  at  about  eight  o'clock,  r.  M.  ap- 
proached by  four  boats  from  the  ships  filled  with 
armed  men.  After  hailing  them  repeatedly  and 
warning  them  to  keep  off,  he  ordered  his  men  to  fire 
upon  them  and  killed  and  wounded  several  men. 
The  boats  returned  the  fire  and  killed  one  man  and 
wounded  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  privateer,  and  re- 
turned to  their  ships ;  and,  as  it  was  now  light  moon- 
light, it  was  plainly  perceived  from  the  brig  as  wrell 
as  from  the  shore,  that  a  formidable  attack  was  pre- 
meditating. Soon  after  midnight,  twelve  or  more 
large  boats,  crowded  with  men  from  the  ships,  and 
armed  with  carronades,  swivels  and  blunderbusses, 
small  arms,  &c.  attacked  the  brig ;  a  severe  contest 
ensued  which  lasted  about  forty  minutes  and  ended 
in  the  total  defeat  and  partial  destruction  of  the 
boats,  with  a  most  unparalleled  carnage  on  the  part 
of  the  British.  It  is  estimated  by  good  judges  that 
near  four  hundred  men  were  in  the.  boats  when  the 
attack  commenced,  and  no  doubt  exists  in  the  minds 
of  the  numerous  spectators  of  the  scene,  that  more 
than  one  half  of  them  were  killed  or  wounded  ;  sev- 
eral boats  were  destroyed ;  two  of  them  remained 
along  side  of  the  brig  literally  loaded  with  their 
own  dead.  From  these  two  boats  only  seventeen 
reached  the  shore  alive  ;  most  of  them  were  severe- 
ly wounded.  The  whole  of  the  following  day  the 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  239 

British  were  occupied  in  burying  their  dead  ;  among 
them  were  two  lieutenants  and  one  midshipman  of 
the  Rota — the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Plantaganet, 
it  is  said,  cannot  survive  his  wounds,  and  many  of 
the  seamen  who  reached  their  ships  were  mortally 
wounded  and  have  been  dying  daily.  The  British, 
mortified  at  this  signal  and  unexpected  defeat,  endea- 
voured to  conceal  the  extent  of  the  loss  ;  they  admit 
however  that  they  lost  in  killed  and  who  have  died 
since  the  engagement,  upwards  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  of  the  flower  of  their  officers  and  men.  The 
captain  of  the  Rota  told  me  he  lost  seventy  men 
from  his  ship.  Two  days  after  this  affair  took  place 
the  British  sloops  of  war  Thais  and  Calypso  came 
into  port,  when  captain  Lloyd  immediately  took 
them  into  requisition  to  carry  home  the  wounded  offi- 
cers and  seamen.  They  have  sailed  for  England, 
one  on  the  2d  and  the  other  on  the  4th  instant,  each 
carried  twenty-five  badly  wounded.  Those  who 
were  slighty  wounded,  to  the  number,  as  I  am  in- 
formed', of  about  thirty,  remained  on  board  of  their 
respective  ships,  and  sailed  last  evening  for  Jamaica. 
Strict'orders  were  given  that  the  sloops  of  war  should 
take  no  letters  whatever  to  England,  and  those  or- 
ders were  rigidly  adhered  to. 

In  face  of  the  testimony  of  all  Fayal,  and  a  num- 
ber of  respectable  strangers,  who  happened  to  be  in 
this  place  at  the  moment,  the  British  commander  en- 
deavours to  throw  the  odium  of  this  transaction  on 
the  American  captain,  Reid,  alleging  that  he  sent  the 

boats  merely  to  reconnoitre  the  brig,  and  without  any 
J 


240  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

hostile  intentions ;  the  pilots  of  the  port  did  inform 
them  of  the  privateer  the  moment  they  entered  the 
port.  To  reconnoitre  an  enemy's  vessel  in  a  friendly 
port,  at  night,  with  four  boats,  carrying,  by  the  best 
accounts,  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  is  certainly 
a  strange  proceeding !  The  fact  is,  they  expected  as 
the  brig  was  warping  in,  that  the  Americans  would 
no_t  be  prepared  to  receive  them,  and  they  had  hopes 
of  carrying  her  by  a  "  coup  de  main."  If  any  thing 
could  add  to  the  baseness  of  this  transaction  on  the 
part  of  the  British  commander,  it  is  the  want  of  can- 
dour openly  and  boldly  to  avow  the  facts.  In  vain 
can  he  expect  by  such  subterfuge  to  shield  himself 
from  the  indignation  of  the  world,  and  the  merited 
resentment  of  his  own  government  and  nation  for 
thus  trampling  on  the  sovereignty  of  their  most  an- 
cient and  faithful  ally,  and  for  the  wanton  sacrifice 
of  British  lives. 

On  the  part  of  the  Americans  the  loss  was  com- 
paratively nothing ;  two  killed  and  seven  wounded  : 
of  the  slain  we  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  the  sec- 
ond lieutenant,  Mr.  Alexander  O.  Williams,  of  New 
York,  a  brave  and  meritorious  officer. 

Among  the  wounded  are  Messrs.  Worth  and  John- 
son, first  and  third  lieutenants ;  captain  Reid  was 
thus  deprived,  early  in  the  action,  of  the  services  of 
all  his  lieutenants ;  but  his  cool  and  intrepid  conduct 
secured  him  the  victory. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  ult.  one  of  the  British 
ships  placed  herself  near  the  shore  and  commenced 
a  heavy  cannonade  on  the  privateer.  Finding  fur- 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  241 

ther  resistance  unavailing,  captain  Reid  ordered  hep 
to  be  abandoned  after  being  partially  destroyed,  to 
prevent  her  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  who 
soon  after  sent  their  boats  and  set  her  on  fire. 

At  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  (soon  after  the  first 
attack)  I  applied  to  the  governour,  requesting  his 
excellency  to  protect  the  privateer,  either  by  force 
or  by  such  remonstrance  to  the  commander  of  the 
squadron  as  would  cause  him  to  desist  from  any  fur- 
ther attempt.  The  governour  indignant  at  what  had 
passed,  but  feeling  himself  totally  Unable  with  the 
slender  means  he  possessed,  to  resist  such  a  force, 
took  the  part  of  remonstrating,  which  he  did  in  for- 
cible but  respectful  terms.  His  letter  to  captain 
Lloyd  had  no  other  effect  than  to  produce  a  menacing 
reply  insulting  in  the  highest  degree.  Nothing  can 
exceed  the  indignation  of  the  publick  authorities,  as 
well  as  of  all  ranks  and  descriptions  of  persons  here, 
at  this  unprovoked  enormity.  Such  was  the  rage  of 
the  British  to  destroy  this  vessel,  that  no  regard  was 
paid  to  the  safety  of  the  town ;  some  of  the  inhabi- 
tants were  wounded,  and  a  number  of  houses  were 
much  damaged.  The  strongest  representations  on 
on  this  subject  are  prepared  by  the  governour  for  his 
court. 

Since  this  affair  the  commander,  captain  Lloyd, 
threatened  to  send  on  shore  an  armed  force,  and 
arrest  the  privateer's  crew ;  saying  there  were  many 
Englishmen  among  them ;  and  our  poor  fellows, 
afraid  of  his  vengeance,  have  fled  to  the  mountains 
several  times,  and  have  been  harrassed  extremely. 
31 


NAVAL    BATTLES. 

At  length,  captain  Lloyd,  fearful  of  losing  more  men 
if  he  put  his  threats  in  execution,  adopted  this  strata- 
gem :  he  addressed  an  official  letter  to  the  governour, 
stating  that  in  the  American  crew  were  two  men  who 
deserted  from  his  squadron  in  America,  and  as  they 
were  guilty  of  high  treason,  he  required  them  to  be 
found  and  given  up.  Accordingly  a  force  was  sent 
into  the  country,  and  the  American  seamen  were  ar- 
rested and  brought  to  town,  and  as  they  could  not 
designate  the  said  pretended  deserters,  all  the  sea- 
men here  passed  an  examination  of  the  British  offi- 
cers, but  no  such  persons  were  to  be  found  among 
them.  I  was  requested  by  the  governour  and  British 
consul  to  attend  this  humiliating  examination,  as  was 
also  captain  Reid ;  but  we  declined  to  sanction  by 
our  presence  any  such  proceedings. 

Captain  Reid  has  protested  against  the  British 
commanders  of  the  squadron  for  the  unwarrantablt 
destruction  of  his  vessel  in  a  neutral  and  friendh 
port,  as  also  against  the  government  of  Portugal  foi 
their  inability  to  protect  him. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir 
your  most  obedient  servant. 

JOHN  B.  DABNEY. 

IVthe  Secretary  of  State  of  the  United  States,  Washington 


RTE  OF  CAPTAIN  PORTER'S  SETTLEMENT  AT 
NOOAHEEVAH. 

Ltcr  from  captain  John  M.  Gamble  of  the  marines,  detailing 
he  occurrences  which  took  place  at  Nooaheevah  after  the 
eparture  of  captain  Porter,  and  his  subsequent  capture  by 
he  Cherub.  New  York,  August,  1815. 


,  —  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  on 
tb  12th  of  December,  1813,  the  day  on  which  the 
Esex  frigate,  and  Essex  junior,  took  their  depar- 
tie  from  Nooaheevah,  I  was  left  in  port  Anna 
Airia  bay,  with  eighteen  men  under  my  command, 
ail  six  prisoners  of  war,  in  charge  of  the  establish- 
mnt  on  shore,  together  with  the  prize  ships  Green- 
N\  li.  Seringapatam,  and  Sir  Andrew  Hammond, 
wh  orders  from  captain  Porter  to  remain  five  and  a 
h;f  calendar  months  at  that  place  —  at  the  expiration 
oi  which  time,  should  he  not  return,  or  send  me 
n  INT  instructions  how  to  act,  I  was,  if  possible, 
tonan  two  of  the  ships,  and  after  taking  every  arti- 
<1  of  value  out  of  the  other,  and  burning  that  ship, 
to  repair  to  the  port  of  Valparaiso  —  where,  in  the 
o^  nt  of  my  not  finding  the  frigate  or  additional  or- 
des,  I  was  authorized  to  dispose  of  one  of  the  ships 
tothe  best  advantage,  taking  on  board  the  other 
al  he  men  under  my  charge,  as  well  as  the  prize- 
cnvs  of  the  different  ships  then  in  that  port,  :uul 
pi  oed  to  the  United  States. 

vfter  receiving  those  instructions,  my  first  object 
u  ,  agreeably  to  the  wish  of  captuin  I'ortrr,  to  fill 
th  ship  New  Zealander  with  oil  from  ilir  <>ik 


244  NAVAL     UATTLES. 

and  on  the  28th  of  the  same  month  she  took  her  de- 
parture for  the  United  States,  with  a  cargo  of  nine- 
teen hundred  and  fifty  barrels,  and  well  found  in 
every  respect  for  so  long  a  voyage. 

With  regret,  sir,  I  have  to  inform  you,  the  frigate 
had  not  got  clear  of  the  Marquesas,  before  we  dis- 
covered in  the  natives  a  hostile  disposition  towards 
us,  and  in  a  few  days  they  became  so  insolent,  that 
I  found  it  absolutely  necessary,  not  only  for  the  se- 
curity of  the  ships  and  property  on  shore,  but  for 
our  personal  safety,  to  land  my  men  and  regain  by 
force  of  arms  the  many  articles  they  had  in  the 
most  daring  manner  stolen  from  the  encampment ; 
and  what  was  of  still  greater  importance,  to  prevent, 
if  possible,  their  putting  threats  into  execution,  which 
might  have  been  attended  with  the  most  serious  con- 
sequences on  our  part,  from  duty  requiring  my  men 
to  be  so  much  separated. 

I,  however,  had  the  satisfaction  to  accomplish  my 
wish  without  firing  a  musket,  and  from  that  time 
lived  in  perfect  amity  with  them,  until  the  7th  May 
following,  when  my  distressed  situation  placed  me  in 
their  power. 

Before  mentioning  the  lamentable  events  of  that 
day,  and  the  two  succeeding  ones,  I  shall  give  you  a 
brief  account  of  a  few  preceding  occurrences  which 
were  sources  of  great  uneasiness  to  me. 

The  first  was  the  death  of  John  Witter  (a  faithful 
old  marine)  who  was  unfortunately  drowned  in  the 
surf  on  the  afternoon  of  the  28th  of  February,  and 
the  desertion  of  four  of  my  men ;  the  one  Isaac 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  245 

Coffin  (black  man)  had  deserted  from  the  Essex  the 
day  before  she  sailed  out  of  the  bay,  and  was  then  a 
prisoner  for  attempting  the  second  time  to  make  his 
escape  from  the  ships.  They  took  the  advantage  of 
a  dark  night,  and  left  the  bay  in  a  whale-boat,  unob- 
served by  any  person,  all,  excepting  the  prisoner, 
having  the  watch  on  deck.  They  took  with  them 
several  muskets,  a  supply  of  ammunition,  and  many 
things  of  but  little  value.  My  attempt  to  pursue 
them  was  prevented,  by  their  destroying,  in  a  great 
measure,  the  only  remaining  boat  at  that  time  sea- 
worthy. 

On  the  12th  April  began  to  rig  the  ships  Ser- 
ingapatam,  and  Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  which,  as  I 
calculated,  employed  the  men  until  the  1st  of  May. 
All  hands  were  then  engaged  in  getting  the  remain- 
der of  the  property  from  the  Greenwich  to  the  Serin- 
gapatam,  as  I  began  to  despair  of  the  frigate  rejoin- 
ing me  at  that  place. 

The  work  went  on  well,  and  the  men  were  obe- 
dient to  my  orders,  though  I  discovered  an  evident 
change  in  their  countenances,  which  led  me  to  sup- 
pose there  was  something  wrong  in  agitation,  and 
under  that  impression  had  all  the  muskets,  and  am- 
munition, and  small  arms  of  every  description  taken 
to  the  Greenwich  (the  ship  I  lived  on  board  of)  from 
the  other  ships,  as  a  necessary  precaution  against  a 
surprise  from  my  own  men. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  while  on  board  the  Seringa- 
patam  on  duty  which  required  my  being  presen  ,  I 
was  suddenly  and  violently  attacked  by  the  men 


246  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

employed  in  that  ship.  After  struggling  a  short 
time,  and  receiving  many  bruises,  I  was  thrown  down 
on  the  deck,  and  my  hands  and  legs  immediately 
tied.  They  then  threw  me  on  the  second  deck, 
thence  dragged  me  into  the  cabin,  and  confined  me 
to  the  run,  where  in  a  few  minutes  midshipman  Fel- 
tus,  and  acting  midshipman  Clapp  were  thrown  in, 
tied  in  the  same  manner  as  myself  :  the  scuttle  was 
then  nailed  down  and  a  sentinel  placed  over  it. 

After  spiking  all  the  guns  of  the  Greenwich,  and 
of  the  fort,  and  those  of  the  Sir  Andrew  Hammond 
that  were  loaded,  plundering  the  ships  of  every  thing 
valuable, — committing  many  wanton  depredations  on 
shore,  taking  all  the  arms  and  ammunition  from  the 
Greenwich ;  sending  for  Robert  White,  the  man  who 
was  sent  out  of  the  Essex  for  mutinous  conduct,  and 
bending  the  necessary  sails,  they  stood  out  of  the 
bay,  with  a  light  wind  off  the  land. 

My  fellow  prisoners,  and  shortly  after  myself, 
were  then  taken  out  of  the  run,  and  placed  in  the  ca- 
bin, under  the  immediate  charge  of  several  sentinels. 

Shortly  after  getting  clear  of  the  bay,  one  of  the 
sentinels,  though  he  had  been  repeatedly  cautioned 
against  putting  his  finger  on  the  trigger,  fired  a  pis- 
tol, the  contents  of  which  passed  though  my  heel  a 
little  below  the  ankle  bone. 

I  had  not  received  the  wound  a  moment  before  the 
men  on  deck  pointed  their  muskets  down  the  sky- 
light, and  were  in  the  act  of  firing,  when  the  sen- 
tinel prevented  them  by  saying  the  pistol  was  acci- 
dentally discharged. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  247 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  night  dark,  and  the  wind 
blowing  fresh,  after  receiving  by  request  from  the 
mutineers  a  barrel  of  powder  and  three  old  muskets, 
I  was  put  in  a  leaky  boat,  where  I  found  my  unfor- 
tunate companions. 

In  that  situation,  after  rowing  at  least  six  miles, 
and  every  person  exhausted  from  the  great  exertion 
made  to  prevent  the  boat  from  sinking,  we  reached 
the  Greenwich,  where  I  found  my  few  remaining 
men  anxiously  looking  out  for  me,  and  seriously 
alarmed  at  the  conduct  of  the  savages.  They  had 
already  begun  to  plunder  the  encampment,  and  were 
informed  by  Wilson  (a  man  who  had  lived  among 
them  for  several  years,  and  who,  as  I  afterwards 
learnt,  was  not  only  instrumental  to  the  mutiny,  but 
had  in  my  absence  plundered  the  Sir  Andrew  Ham- 
mond) of  our  defenceless  situation. 

Finding  it  impossible  to  comply  with  that  part  of 
my  instructions  directing  me  to  remain  in  the  bay 
until  the  27th  May — I  thought  it  most  advisable  to 
repair  to  the  port  of  Valparaiso ;  and  with  that  view 
every  soul,  assisted  by  George  Ross,  and  William 
Brudewell,  (traders  living  on  the  island  for  the  pur- 
pose of  collecting  sandal  wood,)  exerted  themselves 
in  making  the  necessary  preparations  to  depart. 

My  first  object  was  to  put  the  Sir  Andrew  Ham* 
mond  in  a  situation  that  we  might  get  under  way  at 
any  moment.  That  done,  all  hands  were  engaged 
in  getting  the  few  articles  of  value  from  shore,  and 
endeavouring  to  recover  the  stolen  property  from  the 
Sir  Andrew  Hammond,  when  the  savages  made  an 


248  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

unprovoked  and  wanton  attack  upon  us,  in  which  I 
have,  with  the  deepest  regret,  to  inform  you,  midship- 
man William  Feltus,  John  Thomas,  Thomas  Gibbs, 
and  William  Brudevvell  were  massacred,  and  Peter 
Caddington  (marine)  dangerously  wounded  ;  but  he 
made  his  escape  together  with  William  Worth,  by 
swimming  seme  distance,  when  they  were  taken  out 
of  the  water  by  midshipman  Clapp  and  the  only 
three  men  left.  Our  situation  at  that  moment  was 
most  desperate — the  savages  put  off  in  every  direction 
with  a  view  to  intercept  the  boat,  and  board  the 
ship,  but  were  driven  back  by  my  firing  the  few  guns 
we  had  just  before  loaded  with  grape  and  cannister 
shot.  Before  the  boat  returned,  and  the  guns  were 
reloaded,  they  made  the  second  attempt,  and  after- 
wards repeated  attempts,  first  to  board  the  Sir  Andrew 
Hammond,  and  then  the  Greenwich — but  were  re- 
pulsed by  our  keeping  up  a  constant  firing.  During 
this  time  several  hundred  were  employed  in  pulling 
down  the  houses,  and  plundering  the  encampment, 
while  others  were  in  the  fort,  endeavouring  (assisted 
by  Wilson  who  had  received  several  casks  of  powder 
from  the  mutineers)  to  get  the  spikes  out  of  the  guns. 
As  soon  as  William  Worth  had  recovered  a  little 
strength  after  being  so  long  in  the  water,  I  sent  the 
boat  to  the  Greenwich,  for  John  Pitlenger  (a  sick 
man)  and  some  things  that  were  indispensably  neces- 
sary, and  with  orders  to  burn  that  ship,  and  return 
with  all  possible  despatch,  as  our  ammunition  was 
nearly  all  expended,  and  we  had  no  other  means  of 
keeping  the  savages  one  moment  out  of  the  ship. — > 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  249 

We  then  bent  the  jib  and  spanker,  cut  the  moorings, 
and  luckily  had  a  light  breeze  that  carried  us  clear 
of  the  bay,  with  six  cartridges  only  remaining. 
It  was  then  we  found  our  situation  most  distresses. 

o 

In  attempting  to  run  the  boat  up,  it  broke  in  two 
parts  and  we  were  compelled  to  cut  away  from 
the  bows  our  only  anchor,  not  being  able  to  cat 
it.  We  mustered  altogether  eight  souls — out  of 
which  there  was  one  cripple  confined  to  his  bed,  one 
man  dangerously  wounded,  one  sick,  one  convales- 
cent, a  feeble  old  man  just  recovering  from  the  scur- 
vy, and  myself  unable  to  lend  any  further  assistance, 
the  exertions  of  the  day  having  so  greatly  inflamed 
my  wound  as  to  produce  a  violent  fever, — leaving 
midshipman  Clapp,  and  two  men  only  capable  of  do- 
ing duty.  In  that  state,  destitute  of  charts  and  of 
every  means  of  getting  to  windward,  I  saw  but  one 
alternative,  to  run  the  trade  winds  down,  and  if  pos- 
sible to  make  the  Sandwich  islands,  in  hopes  of  either 
falling  in  wTith  some  of  the  Canton  ships,  (that  being 
their  principal  place  of  rendezvous)  or  of  obtaining 
some  assistance  from  Tamaahmaah,  the  king  of  the 
Windward  Islands. 

No  time  was  lost  in  bending  the  topsails,  and  on 
the  10th  of  May  we  took  our  departure  from  Ro- 
berts island.  On  the  25th  of  the  same  month  made 
Ovvhyhee,  and  on  the  30th  after  suffering  much, 
came  to  an  anchor. in  Whytetee  bay,  at  the  island  of 
Whoohoo,  where  I  found  captain  Winship,  several 
officers  of  ships,  and  a  number  of  men,  from  whom 

32 


250  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

(particularly  captain  Winship)  I  received  every  assist- 
ance their  situation  could  afford  me. 

The  natives,  though  at  first  surprised  at  our  de- 
plorable condition,  and  inquisitive  to  know  the  cause 
of  it,  which  I  did  not  think  prudent  to  inform  them, 
supplied  the  ship  with  fresh  meat,  fruits  and  vegeta- 
bles, partly  on  condition  that  I  would  take  the  chief 
men  of  the  island,  and  some  others  with  their  pro- 
perty up  to  the  Windward  Islands,  (where  I  found  it 
necessary  to  go,)  after  shipping  some  men,  in  order 
to  procure  a  supply  of  salt  provisions  from  the  king. 
From  thence  it  was  my  intention  to  have  proceeded 
to  Valparaiso  in  compliance  with  my  instructions 
from  captain  Porter, — but  I  was  unfortunately  cap- 
tured on  the  passage  by  the  English  ship  Cherub  of 
twenty  guns.  I  was  somewhat  surprised  to  hear 
captain  Tucker  say  (when  I  pointed  out  a  valuable 
canoe,  and  many  other  articles  which  I  assured  him 
was  the  property  of  the  natives,  and  that  I  was  mere- 
ly conveying  them,  and  it,  from  the  one  island  to  the 
other,  the  weather  being  to  boisterous  at  that  time 
for  them  to  make  the  passage  in  their  canoes,)  that 
every  thing  found  in  a  prize-ship  belonged  to  the 
captors. 

So  that  I  had  the  mortification  to  see  the  people 
from  whom  I  had  received  so  much  kindness,  sent  on 
shore,  deprived  of  all  they  had  been  collecting  for 
twelve  months  past,  and  were  about  to  present  to 
their  king  as  a  tribute  imposed  upon  them. 

The  Cherub  then  proceeded  to  Atooi,  where  after 
capturing  the  ship  Charon,  and  making  many  fruit- 


>AYAL     BA1TLLS.  251 

less  attempt  to  get  the  cargo  of  that  ship,  and  se- 
veral others  that  had  been  deposited  on  the  island, 
under  the  in  mediate  protection  of  the  king  of  the 
Leeward  IsKinds,  she  took  her  departure  on  the 
15th  of  July  from  that  place,  and  on  the  28th  Novem- 
ber following,  arrived  at  Rio  de  Janeiro  with  her 
prizes,  touching  on  her  passage  for  refreshments  at 
Otaheite  and  Valparaiso.  During  her  stay  at  the 
latter  place,  the  frigates  Briton  and  Tagus  arrived 
from  the  Marquesas,  where  they  had  been  in  search 
of  the  ships  left  under  my  charge. 

On  the  15th  of  December  the  prisoners  were  sent 
on  shore,  having  received  the  most  rigorous  treat- 
ment from  captain  Tucker,  during  their  long  confine- 
ment in  his  ship,  and  the  greater  part  of  them,  like 
the  natives,  left  destitute  of  every  thing,  save  the 
clothes  on  their  backs.  The  men  belonging  to  the 
Essex  had  but  little  to  lose,  but  those  I  shipped 
at  \Vaahoo  had  received  in  part,  money  and  goods 
for  one,  two,  and  some  of  them  three  years  services 
ID  *K»  ^miton  ships. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  by  the  advice  of  a  physician 
who  attended  me,  I  took  my  departure  from  Rio 
de  Janeiro,  in  a  Swedish  ship  bound  to  Havre  de 
Grace  leaving  behind  acting  midshipman  Benjamin 
Clapp,  and  five  men,  haying  lost  one  soon  after  my 
arrival  at  that  place  with  the  small  pox. 

No  opportunity  had  previously  offered  by  which  I 
could  possibly  get  from  thence,  the  English  admiral 
on  that  station,  being  determined  to  prevent  by  every 

*"<*    -*1^ 


252  NAVAL     UATTLES. 

means  in  his  power  American  prisoners  from  returning 
to  their  own  country. 

On  the  10th  instant,  in  latitude  forty-seven  degrees 
north,  and  in  longitude  eighteen  degrees  west  I  took 
passage  on  board  the  ship  Oliver  Ellsworth  (captain 
Roberts)  fifteen  days  from  Havre  de  Grace,  bound  to 
New  York. 

I  arrived  here  last  evening,  and  have  the  honour  to 
wait  either  the  orders  of  the  navy  department,  or  of 
the  commandant  of  the  marine  corps. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.  &c. 

JOHN  M.  GAMBLE. 

To  the  honourable  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Washington. 


ALGERINE   WAR. 

IMMEDIATELY  after  the  ratification  of  peace  with 
Great  Britain,  in  February  1815,  Congress,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  hostile  conduct  of  the  regency  of  Al- 
giers, declared  war  against  that  power.  A  squadron 
was  immediately  fitted  out,  under  the  command  of 
commodore  Decatur,  consisting  of  the  Guerriere,  Con- 
stellation, and  Macedonian  frigates,  the  Ontario  and 
Epervier  sloops  of  war,  and  the  schooners  Spark, 
Spitfire,  Torch,  and  Flambeau.  Another  squadron, 
under  commodore  Bainbridge,  was  to  follow  this  ar- 
mament, on  the  arrival  of  which,  it  was  understood, 
commodore  Decatur  would  return  to  the  United 
States  in  a  single  v7essel,  leaving  the  command  of 
the  whole  combined  force  to  commodore  Bainbridge. 

The  force  under  commodore  Decatur  rendezvoused 
at  New  York,  from  which  port  they  sailed  the  20th 
day  of  May,  1815,  and  arrived  in  the  bay  of  Gib- 
raltar in  twenty-five  days,  after  having  previously 
communicated  with  Cadiz  and  Tangier.  In  the 
passage,  the  Spitfire,  Torch,  Firefly,  and  Ontario, 
separated  at  different  times  from  the  squadron  in 
gales,  but  all  joined  again  at  Gibraltar,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  Firefly,  which  sprung  her  masts,  and 
put  back  to  New  York  to  refit.  Having  learned  at 
Gibraltar  that  the  Algerine  squadron,  which  had  been 
out  into  the  Atlantic,  had  undoubtedly  passed  up 
the  straits,  and  that  information  of  the  arrival  of  the 
American  force  had  been  sent  to  Algiers  by  persons 


25  i  .NAVAL     BATTLES. 

in  Gibraltar,  commodore  Decatur  determined  to  pro- 
ceed without  delay,  up  the  Mediterranean,  in  the 
hope  of  intercepting  the  enemy  before  he  could  re- 
turn to  Algiers,  or  gain  a  neutral  port. 

The  17th  of  June,  off  Cape  de  Gatt,  he  fell  in 
with  and  captured  the  Algerine  frigate  Mazouda,  in 
a  running  fight  of  twenty-five  minutes.  After  two 
broadsides  the  Algerines  ran  below.  The  Guerriere 
had  four  men  wounded  by  musketry — the  Algerines 
about  thirty  killed,  according  to  the  statement  of  the 
prisoners,  who  amounted  to  four  hundred  and  six. 
In  this  affair  the  famous  Algerine  admiral,  or  Rais, 
Hammida,  who  had  long  been  the  terror  of  this  sea, 
was  cut  in  two  by  a  cannon  shot. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  off  cape  Palos,  the  squadron 
fell  in  with  and  captured  an  Algerine  brig  of  twenty- 
two  guns.  The  brig  was  chased  close  to  the  shore, 
where  she  was  followed  by  the  Epervier,  Spark, 
Torch,  and  Spitfire,  to  whom  she  surrendered,  after 
losing  twenty-three  men.  No  Americans  were  either 
killed  or  wounded.  The  captured  brig,  with  most 
of  the  prisoners  on  board,  was  sent  into  Carthaq;ena, 
where  she  has  since  been  claimed  by  the  Spanish 
government  under  the  plea  of  a  breach  of  neutrality. 
As  this  affair  will  probably  become  a  subject  of  ne- 
gotiation between  the  United  States  and  Spain,  we 
decline  entering  into  further  particulars. 

From  cape  Palos,  the  American  squadron  proceed- 
ed to  Algiers,  where  it  arrived  the  28th  of  June. 
Aware  that  a  despatch-boat  had  been  sent  from  Gib- 
raltar, to  inform  the  regency  of  his  arrival,  and  having 
also  learned  that  several  Tartans  had  gone  in  search 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  255 

of  the  Algerines  to  communicate  the  news,  commo- 
dore Decatur  concluded  that  their  fleet  was  by  this 
time  safe  in  some  neutral  port.     He  therefore  thought 
it  a  favourable  time  to  take  advantage  of  the  terror 
which  his  sudden  and  unwelcome  arrival  had  excited, 
to  despatch  a  letter  from  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  the  dey,  in  order  to  afford  him  a  fair  opportu- 
nity to  open  a  negotiation.     The  captain  of  the  port 
was  immediately  despatched  to  the  Guerriere,  on  the 
receipt  of  this  letter,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Norderling 
the  Swedish  consul  ;  and  commodore  Decatur,  who, 
with  Mr.   Shaler,  had  been  empowered  to  negotiate 
a  treaty,  proposed  the  basis,  on  which  alone  he  could 
consent  to  enter  on  the  affair  of  an  adjustment.     This 
was  the  absolute  and   unqualified  relinquishment  of 
any  demand  of  tribute  on  the  part  of  the  regency,  on 
any  pretence  whatever.     To  this  he  demurred.     He 
was  then  asked  if  he  knew  wrhat  had  become  of  the 
Algerine  squadron,  and  replied — "  By  this  time  it  is 
safe  in  some  neutral  port."    "  Not  the  whole  of  it," 
was  the  reply.     He  was  then  told  of  the  capture   of 
the  frigate,  of  the  brig,  and  of  the  death  of  Hammida. 
He  shook  his  head,  and  smiled  with  a  look  of  incredu- 
lity, supposing  it  a  mere  attempt  to  operate  on  his  fears, 
and  thus  induce  an  acceptance  of  the  proposed  basis. 
But  when  the  lieutenant  of  Hammida  was  called  in, 
and  the  minister  learned  the  truth  of  these  particulars, 
he  became  completely  unnerved,  and  agreed  to  nego- 
tiate on  the  proposed  basis.     He  premised,  however, 
that  he  was  not  authorized  to  conclude  a  treaty,  but 
requested  the    American  commissioners  to  state  the 
conditions  they  had  to  prouose.     This  was  done,  and 


256  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

the  captain  of  the  port  then  requested  a  cessation  of 
hostilities,  and  that  the  negotiation  should  be  conduct- 
ed on  shore,  the  minister  of  marine  having  pledged 
himself  for  their  security  while  there,  and  their  safe 
return  to  the  ships  whenever  they  pleased.  Neither 
of  these  propositions  were  accepted,  and  the  captain 
was  expressly  given  to  understand,  that  not  only 
must  the  negotiation  be  carried  on  in  the  Guerriere, 
but  that  hostilities  would  still  be  prosecuted  against 
all  vessels  belonging  to  Algiers,  until  the  treaty  was 
signed  by  the  dey. 

The  captain  of  the  port  and  Mr.  Norderling  then 
went  on  shore,  but  the  next  day  again  came  on  board, 
with  the  information  that  they  were  commissioned 
by  the  dey,  to  treat  on  the  basis  for  which  the  com- 
missioners of  the  United  States  had  stipulated.  A 
treaty  was  then  produced,  which  the  commissioners 
declared  could  not  be  varied  in  any  material  article, 
and  that  consequently,  discussion  was  not  only  useless, 
but  dangerous  on  their  part ;  for  if  in  the  interim  the 
Algerine  squadron  were  to  appear,  it  would  most  as- 
suredly be  attacked.  On  examining  the  treaty  pro- 
posed, the  captain  of  the  port  was  extremely  anxious 
to  get  the  article  stipulating  for  the  restoration  of 
the  property  taken  by  the  Algerines  during  the  war 
dispensed  with,  earnestly  representing  that  it  had 
been  distributed  into  many  hands,  and  that  as  it  was 
not  the  present  dey  who  declared  war,  it  was  unjust 
that  he  should  answer  for  all  its  consequences.  The 
article  was,  however,  adhered  to  by  the  American  com- 
missioners, and  after  various  attempts  to  gain  a  truce, 
as  well  as  to  gain  time,  it  was  at  length  settled 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  257 

that  all   hostilities  should  instantly   cease,  when  a 
boat  was  seen   coming  off  with   a  white  flag,  the 
Swedish  consul  pledging  at  the  same  time  his  honour 
that  it  should  not  be  hoisted  until  the  dey  had  sign- 
ed the  treaty,  and  the  prisoners  were  safe  in  the 
boat.     The  captain  and  Mr.  Norderling  then  went 
on  shore,  and  returned  within  three  hours  ;  with  the 
treaty   signed,   together  with  all   the  prisoners,  al- 
though the  distance  was  more  than  five  miles.     The 
principal  articles  in  this  treaty  were,  that  no  tribute 
under  any  pretext  or  in  any  form  whatever,  should 
ever  be  required  by  Algiers  from  the  United  States 
of  America — that  all  Americans  in  slavery  should  be 
given  up  without  ransom — that  compensation  should 
be   made   for   American   vessels  captured,  or  pro- 
perty seized  or  detained  at  Algiers — that  the  persons 
and  property  of  American  citizens  found  on  board  an 
enemy's  vessels  should  be  sacred — that  vessels  of 
either  party  putting  into  port   should   be   supplied 
with  provisions  at  market  price,  and,   if  necessary 
to  be  repaired,    should  land   their  cargoes  without 
paying  duty — that  if   a  vessel  belonging    to  either 
party  should  be  cast  on  shore,  she  should  not  be  given 
up  to  plunder — or  if  attacked  by  an  enemy  within  can- 
non shot  of  a  fort,  should  be  protected,  and  no  ene 
my  be  permitted  to  follow  her  when  she  went  to  sea 
within   twenty-four  hours.     In  general,  the   rights 
of  Americans  on  the  ocean  and  land,  were  fully  pro- 
vided for  in  every  instance,  and  it  was  particularly 
stipulated  that  all  citizens  of  the  United  States  taken 
in  war,  should  be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war  are 
33 


258  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

treated  by  other  nations,  and  not  as  slaves,  but  held 
subject  to  an  exchange  without  ransom.  After  con- 
cluding this  treaty,  so  highly  honourable  and  advan- 
tageous to  this  country,  the  commissioners  gave  up 
the  captured  frigate  and  brig,  to  their  former  owners. 
To  this  they  were  influenced  by  a  consideration  of 
the  great  expense  it  would  require  to  put  them  in  a 
condition  to  be  sent  to  the  United  States — the  im- 
possibility of  disposing  of  them  in  the  Mediterranean 
and  by  the  pressing  instances  of  the  dey  himself, 
who  earnestly  represented  that  this  would  be  the 
best  method  of  satisfying  his  people  with  the  treaty 
just  concluded,  and  consequently  the  surest  guaran- 
tee for  its  observance  on  his  part.  The  policy  of 
the  measure  we  think  sufficiently  obvious,  when  it  is 
considered  that  the  dey  would  most  likely,  in  case 
of  their  refusal,  have  fallen  a  victim  to  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  people,  and  that,  in  all  probability,  his 
successor  would  have  found  his  safety  only  in  disown- 
ing the  peace  which  had  been  made  by  his  predeces- 
sor. There  being,  as  we  before  stated,  some  dispute 
with  the  Spanish  authorities  with  regard  to  the  le- 
gality of  the  capture  of  the  Algerine  brig,  it  was  stip- 
ulated on  the  part  of  the  American  commissioners, 
in  order  to  induce  the  Spaniards  to  give  her  up,  that 
the  Spanish  consul  and  a  Spanish  merchant,  then 
prisoners  in  Algiers,  should  be  released,  and  permit- 
ted to  return  to  Spain  if  they  pleased.  According  to 
the  last  advices  the  brig  was  still  detained  by  the 
Spanish  government,  and  the  ultimate  disposal  of 
this  vessel  will  probably  be  settled  by  an  amicable 
negotiation. 


NAVAL     BATTLES. 

Commodore  Decatur  despatched  captain  Lewis  in 
the  Epervier,  bearing  the  treaty  to  the  United  States, 
and  leaving  Mr.  Shaler  at  Algiers,  as  consul-general 
to  the  Barbary  states,  proceeded  with  the  rest  of 
the  squadron  to  Tunis,  with  the  exception  of  two 
schooners  under  captain  Gamble,  sent  to  convoy  the 
Algerine  vessels  home  from  Carthagena.  He  was 
prompted  to  this  visit,  by  having  been  informed  that 
a  misunderstanding  existed  between  our  consul  and 
the  bashaw  of  Tunis,  into  the  nature  of  which  he 
considered  himself  bound  in  duty  to  inquire.  Here 
he  was  officially  informed  by  the  consul  of  a  violation 
of  the  treaty  subsisting  between  the  United  States 
and  the  bashaw,  first,  in  permitting  two  prizes  of  an 
American  privateer  to  be  taken  out  of  the  harbour 
by  a  British  cruiser,  and  secondly,  in  permitting  a 
company  of  merchants,  subjects  of  Tunis,  to  take 
the  property  of  an  American  citizen  at  their  own 
price,  and  much  below  its  real  value. 

The  truth  of  these  allegations  being  thus  officially 
verified,  commodore  Decatur  addressed  a  letter  to 
the  prime  minister  of  Tunis,  demanding  satisfaction 
for  these  outrages  exercised  or  permitted  by  the 
bashaw,  and  a  full  restoration  of  the  property  thus 
given  up  or  sacrificed.  The  bashaw,  through  the 
medium  of  his  prime  minister,  acknowledged  the 
truth  of  the  facts,  as  well  as  the  justice  of  the  de- 
mands ;  but  begged  twelve  months  to  pay  the  money. 
This  was  refused ;  and  on  receiving  assurances  that 
it  would  be  paid  forthwith,  the  commodore  went  on 
shore,  where  he  received  the  visits  of  the  different 


260  NAVAl,     BATTLES. 

consuls.  The  brother  of  the  prime  minister  of  Tunis 
chanced  to  arrive  with  the  money  at  this  time,  and 
seeing  the  British  consul  in  conversation  with  com- 
modore Decatur,  threw  down  the  bags  which  con- 
tained it  with  great  indignation,  at  the  same  time  ad- 
dressing the  consul  in  English,  which  he  spoke  fluent- 
ly, "  You  see,  sir,  what  Tunis  is  obliged  to  pay 
for  your  insolence.  You  must  feel  ashamed  of  the 
disgrace  you  have  brought  upon  us.  You  are  very 
good  friends  now,  but  I  ask  you  whether  you  think 
it  just  first  to  violate  our  neutrality,  and  then  to  leave 
us  to  be  destroyed,  or  pay  for  your  aggressions."  As 
soon  as  the  money  was  paid,  the  bashaw  prepared 
to  despatch  a  minister  to  England,  to  demand  the 
amount  which  he  had  been  obliged  to  pay  in  conse- 
quence of  this  requisition  of  the  American  commodore. 
After  adjusting  these  differences,  the  squadron 
proceeded  to  Tripoli,  where  commodore  Decatur 
made  a  similar  demand  for  a  similar  violation  of  the 
treaty  subsisting  between  the  United  States  and  the 
bashaw,  who  had  permitted  two  American  vessels  to 
be  taken  from  under  the  guns  of  his  castle  by  a  Brit- 
ish sloop  of  war,  and  refused  protection  to  an  Amer- 
ican cruiser  lying  within  his  jurisdiction.  Restitu- 
tion of  the  full  value  of  these  vessels  was  demanded, 
and  the  money,  amounting  to  twenty-five  thousand  dol- 
lars, paid  by  the  bashaw  into  the  hands  of  the  Amer- 
can  consul.  After  the  conclusion  of  this  affair,  the 
American  consular  flag,  which  Mr.  Jones,  the  consul, 
had  struck,  in  consequence  of  the  violation  of  neutral- 
ity above  mentioned,  was  hoisted  in  the  presence  of 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  261 

the  foreign  agents,  and  saluted  from  the  castle  with 
thirty-one  guns.  In  addition  to  the  satisfaction  thus 
obtained  for  unprovoked  aggressions,  the  commodore 
had  the  pleasure  of  obtaining  the  release  of  ten  cap- 
tives, two  Danes,  and  eight  Neapolitans,  the  latter  of 
whom  he  landed  at  Messina. 

After  touching  at  Messina  and  Naples,  the  squad- 
ron sailed  for  Carthagena  on  the  31st  of  August, 
where  commodore  Decatur  was  in  expectation  of 
meeting  the  relief  squadron,  under  commodore  Bain- 
bridge.  On  joining  that  officer  at  Gibraltar,  he  re- 
linquished his  command,  and  sailed  in  the  Guerriere 
for  the  United  States,  where  he  arrived  on  the  12th 
of  November,  1815.  Every  thing  being  done  previ- 
ous to  the  arrival  of  the  second  division  of  the  squad- 
ron, under  commodore  Bainbridge,  that  gallant  officer 
had  no  opportunity  of  distinguishing  himself,  as  we  are 
satisfied  he  always  will  where  occasion  occurs. 
Pursuant  to  his  instructions  he  exhibited  this  addition- 
al force  before  Algiers,  Tunis,  and  Tripoli,  where 
they  were  somewhat  surprised  at  the  appearance  of 
the  Independence  seventy-four,  having  always  been 
persuaded  that  the  United  States  were  restricted  by 
their  treaties  with  England  from  building  ships  of 
that  class.  When  colonel  Lear  was  consul  at  Algiers 
he  endeavoured  to  convince  the  ministers  of  the  dey 
that  such  was  not  the  case  ;  but  they  always  replied, 
"  If  you  are  permitted  to  build  seventy-fours,  let  us 
see  one  of  them  and  we  shall  be  satisfied."  Com-, 
modore  Bainbridge  sailed  from  Gibraltar  thirty-six 
hours  before  the  Guerriere,  and  arrived  at  Boston  the 
15th  of  November. 


262  .  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

Thus  was  concluded  an  expedition  in  which, 
though  few,  perhaps  no  opportunities  occurred  for 
a  display  of  the  hardy  prowess  of  our  sailors,  the  na- 
tion acquired  singular  honour,  in  humbling  and  chas- 
tising a  race  of  lawless  pirates,  who  have  long  been 
the  inveterate  scourges  of  the  Christian  world.  Inde- 
pendently of  the  glory  thus  accruing  to  the  republi- 
can name,  the  probable  advantages  arising  from  this 
sudden  and  unlooked-for  appearance  of  an  American 
squadron  immediately  after  a  war,  with  Great  Bri- 
tain, we  think  will  be  manifold.  This  circumstance 
will  give  them  an  idea  of  the  power  and  resources  of 
the  United  States  altogether  different  from  that 
which  they  before  entertained ;  and  serve  to  con- 
vince them  of  the  danger  of  provoking  their  resent- 
ment under  any  expectation  of  the  destruction  of 
their  navy  by  any  power  whatever.  That  the  as- 
surance of  an  immediate  war  with  England  was  what 
principally  encouraged  the  dey  of  Algiers  to  com- 
mence hostilities  against  the  United  States,  under 
a  conviction  that  our  little  navy  would  speedily  be 
annihilated,  is  evident  from  the  following  fact.  One 
of  the  dey's  officers  one  morning  insinuated,  whether 
true  or  false  we  cannot  say,  to  the  British  consul  at 
Algiers,  that  it  was  his  fault  that  they  declared  war. 
"  You  told  us,"  said  he,  "  that  the  American  navy 
would  be  destroyed  in  six  months  by  you,  and  now 
they  make  war  upon  us  with  two  of  your  own  ves- 
sels they  have  taken  from  you !" 


NAVAL  POETRY. 


FROM  a  great  number  of  nautical  songs  and  other 
effusions  of  poetry,  that  have  appeared  in  the  period- 
ical works  of  our  country,  we  have  selected  the  fol- 
lowing, as  not  unworthy  of  preservation. 


FROM  THE  PORT  FOLIO. 

OCEAN.— A  NAVAL  ODE. 

ALL  hail,  thou  mightiest,  monstrous  Power! 
To  whom,  in  this  tempestuous  hour, 

The  Nations  bow  the  knee! 
This  hour,  when  Heaven's  right  arm  hath  hurled 
Its  thunders  round  a  warring  world, 
O'er  Christendom  one  bloody  flag  unfurled — 

We  lift  our  eyes  to  Thee! 

Primeval  Power!  ere  Order  sprung, 
While  yet  o'er  chaos  darkness  hung, 
Thou  wert ;  and  when,  in  onward  time, 
The  impious  mortal  stain'd  by  crime 
The  image  of  his  sire  sublime; — 
Then,  great  Avenger!  didst  thou  rise, 
And  swelling  to  the  darken'd  skies, 
Each  of  thy  waves  commissioned  then 
Whelm'd  in  the  worthless  race  of  men' 


264  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

OCEAN — that  venerable  name 
What  tongue  unfaltering  shall  proclaim? 
Here,  as  upon  my  native  plain 
That  borders  on  thy  wide  domain, 
I  stand,  and  strive  one  glimpse  to  gain 
Of  half  thy  worth,  but  strive  in  vain. 
Power — to  whose  hundred  hands  is  given 
To  toss  their  foam  against  the  face  of  heaven, 
And  ere  insulted  heaven  its  wrath  can  show, 
Retreat  in  safety  to  th'  abyss  below. 
Extent — whose  untold  regions  lie 
Where  man  nor  angel  e'er  could  pry, 
Who  manliest  round  this  mighty  globe, 
As  in  one  vast,  cerulean  robe. 
And  wealth — whose  many  massive  heaps 
Lie  piled  within  thy  cavern-deeps, 
Where  new  Peruvias  unfold 
Their  copious  veins  of  liquid  gold, 
And  other  Indias  rise,  to  spread 
Of  rival  gems,  thy  sparkling  bed. 

Yet,  grand  and  awful  as  thou  art, 

'Tis  ours,  with  no  foreboding  heart, 
To  count  thy  glories  o'er; — 

Desccndents  from  that  western  wild, 

Of  Heaven  the  latest,  loveliest  child, 

Who,  safe  in  thy  protection,  smil'd; 

Blooming  so  long  from  all  intrusion  free, 

And  known  to  none  but  Heaven  and  Thee. 

Till  He,  thy  chosen  chieftain,  came, 

Genoa's  boast,  Iberia's  shame; 
(Blest,  had  he  never  ceas'd  o'er  thee  to  roam, 
Nor  found  disgrace,  and  chains,  and  death  at  home.) 

He  woo'd  and  won  the  peerless  dame, 

And  gave  to  her  his  honour'd  name. 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  265 

E'er  since  that  hour,  their  children,  we, 
In  weal  or  wo  thy  aid  can  see. — 
In  war,  thy  guarding  waters  rose, 
A  fence  between  us  and  our  foes. 
In  peace,  thy  stars  have  been  our  guides, 
Our  coursers  swift,  thy  foaming  tides, 
And  safe  have  been  our  billowy  rides, 
As  when  some  white-wing'd  seraph  glides 

To  haven  of  repose ! 

Far  to  that  execrated  shore, 
Where  ancient  Carthage  tower'd  of  yore, 
7Twas  thy  supporting  arms  that  bore 
'Gainst  Punic  perfidy,  the  band, 
Who  well  aveng'd  our  injured  land; 
And  drove  the  crescent,  bath'd  in  blood, 
To  hide  its  blushes  in  the  flood. 
But  when  no  effort  could  withstand 
The  willy  Turk's  ensnaring  hand, 
Snatch'd  for  themselves  the  lighted  brand) 
And  mounting  in  a  shroud  of  flame, 
Died  to  the  world— to  live  in  fame! 

And  now — though  in  the  recent  year 
That  compass'd  our  "  diurnal  sphere," 
Defeat,  disgrace,  and  want,  and  fear, 
Wherever  else  we  look,  appear; 
Yet,  when  to  Thee  we  turn  our  eyes, 
Some  stars  amid  the  storms  arise. 
Lo  !  twice  within  that  little  year, 
Behold  yon  trophied  barque  appear, 
Whose  Eagle,  in  the  wat'ry  field, 
Twice  bade  the  British  Lion  yield ! 
Whose  noble  mast  yet  stands  to  tell 
Its  native  oaks,  IT  NEVER  FELL  ! 
34 


266  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

And  bids  Defiance'  loudest  blast 
Challenge  the  world  to  mate  that  mast, 
For  service  shar'd — for  duty  done — 
For  danger  dar'd — for  vict'ry  won!* 

Ere,  echoing  round  our  gladden'd  shore, 
The  peal  of  triumph  scarce  was  o'er, 
Thou  bad'st  thy  winds  to  bear  again, 
O'er  all  its  hills  the  lofty  strain; 
To  tell  them  that  another  sail, 
Mid  dark  October's  stormy  gale, 
In  direst,  deadliest  shock,  could  close 
With  hearts  as  brave  as  Britain  knows, 

And  in  that  shock  prevail !  t 

We  crowd  not  on  the  shudd'ring  sight 
The  horrors  of  that  awful  fight : 
Not  ours  to  count  the  cruel  scars, 
And  groans,  and  wounds  of  ocean-wars. 
Let  others  note  how,  side  by  side, 
The  virtuous  and  the  valiant  died: 
Where  gun  'gainst  gun,  encount'ring,  lay 
So  near,  they  cross'd  each  others  way ! 
And  from  the  suff  'ring  and  the  slain, 
The  life-stream  mingled  with  the  main ! 
Till  Conquest  grasp'd  his  laurel'd  crown, 
Less  as  a  symbol  of  renown, 
Than  to  conceal  from  sight,  from  thought, 
Proofs  of  the  price  at  which  'twas  bought ! 

*  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  state,  that  this  alludes  to  the  two  conquests  achieved 
by  the  "  Constitution"  over  the  Guerriere  and  Java — the  first  under  the  imme- 
diate command  of  captain  Hull;  the  second,  under  that  of  commodore  Bain- 
bridge.  It  has  been  asserted,  that  no  vessel- of  equal  force  has  been  known,  in 
any  service,  to  have  acquired  as  much  glory  in  as  little  lime. 

t  The  engagement  between  captain  Jones,  in  the  "  Wasp,"  and  the  «'  Frolic," 
in  which  the  latter  was  captured 


NAVAL    BATTLES.  267 

Thou,  Ocean,  thou,  the  seaman's  sire! 
Witness  for  us,  while  deeds  like  those 
Approv'd  our  prowess  to  our  foes, 
Did  they  not,  'mid  ourselves,  inspire 
In  all,  the  emulous  desire 
As  well  to  act,  as  to  admire  ? 

Witness,  as  well  it  may, 
That  One  could,  unattended,  roam 
To  Albion's  very  channel  home, 

In  vain,  but  bold  assay;* 
And  One  could  bid  his  cannon  sound 
To  St.  Salvador's  farthest  ground, 
Till  Andes  might  the  shock  rebound, 

Of  challenging  the  fray !  | 

And  soon,  with  streamers  waving  nigh, 
On  thy  blue  throne  exalted  high, 
We  hail'd  another  naval  son — 
Grac'd  with  the  gift  his  arm  had  won ; 
A  rare  and  goodly  gift,  to  greet 
A  country,  ever  proud  to  meet 
The  same  chivalrous  chief,  who  bore 
Rich  tributes  once  from  Barb'ry's  shore, 

As  Allah's  sons  can  tell; 
But  now  a  nobler  trophy  shows, 
Wrested  from  mightier,  manlier  foes, 

Who  fought  so  long — so  well.J 
Vict'ry  was  ours,  and,  conflict  o'er, 
Found  Mercy  had  been  ours  before; 
And  Kindness,  from  election  free, 
And  frank,  high-minded  Courtesy. 
In  losing  Peace,  we  have  not  lost 
That  gentle  grace  she  prizes  most. 

*  The  cruise  of  commodore  Rodgers. 
t  The  challenge  of  captain  Lawrence  to  the  Bon  Citoyen. 
%  The  capture  and  safe  conduct  home,  of  the  "  Macedonian,"  by  commoctor* 
Decatur. 


268  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

So  may  the  goddess,  when  again 
She  reascends  her  sacred  fane — 
That  fane,  whose  gates,  alas!  now  clos'd, 
Have  stood  to  force  and  fraud  expos'd; 
Find  still  upon  her  altar's  urn 
Unquench'd  its  lambent  lustre  burn, 
Without  is  all  the  storm  and  din — 
The  vestal  flame  yet  lives  within. 

Once  more,  upon  thy  list  of  fame, 
Ocean!  inscribe  another  name. 
Surely  we  may  not  ask  in  vain 
For  him,  who  ne'er  can  ask  again! 
For  him,  most  priz'd,  yet  pitied  most, 
For  LAWRENCE,  honour'd — LAWRENCE,  lost1 
For  him,  who  erst  the  fight  maintain'd, 
And  erst  the  conqu'ror's  chaplet  gain'd, 

And  better,  nobler  far, 
Who  sprang  where  battle  fiercest  bled, 
Between  the  living  and  the  dead, 

And  stay'd  the  waste  of  war! 
For  him,  whose  virtues  were  declar'd 
By  enemies  his  sword  had  spar'd, 
What  time  his  arm  humanely  dar'd 
The  reeling  captive  to  sustain, 
And  snatch  the  sinking  from  the  main. 
The  life,  in  fight  half  lost  before, 
Was  now  to  peril  risk'd  once  more; 
Till,  aiding  in  the  great  emprize, 
His  comrades  sunk  before  his  eyes. 
This,  this,  may  Fame's  sublimeafr  song 
In  everlasting  note  prolong! 
O  glorious  end!   0  death  of  pride! 
The  victors  for  the  vanquish 'd  died!  * 

*  The  extraordinary  exertions  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  "  Hornet,"  after 
their  victory  over  the  "  Peacock,"  for  the  safety  and  comfort  of  their  prisoners, 
must  be  fresh  in  the  minds  of  every  American,  and  we  trust,  of  every  Briton 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  269 

But  be  tho  shouts  of  triumph  o'er; 
Strike  the  high  warbling  harp  no  more! 
And  let  the  minstrel's  measure  know 
No  tones,  but  tones  of  martial  wo! 
O'er  the  slow-undulating  tide 
Let  only  mournful  musick  glide, 
And  but  the  solemn-sounding  oar 
Awake  the  silence  of  the  shore. 
Let  Fancy  to  the  tufted  steep, 

For  sad,  sepulchral  sights  retire, 
Where  wildly  o'er  the  moaning  deep 
The  mermaids  tear 
Their  golden  hair, 
And  fling  it  on  the  funeral  pyre. 

Such  sorrows,  to  the  patriot  dear, 
Befit  a  hero's  bloody  bier; 
Such,  Lawrence!  to  thy  name  be  paid, 
All  that  can  greet  thy  gallant  shade. 
Oh  thou,  whose  gen'rous  arm  could  save 
Thy  fellows  from  an  early  grave, 
What  blessings  had  to  him  belong'd 
Who  had  a  life  like  thine  prolong'd  ? 
Long  on  the  saddened  mind  shall  stay 
The  thought  of  thafmsastrous  day, 
When,  with  thy  few  brave  followers  round, 
Thou  dared'st  dispute  th'  unequal  ground, 
Till  sunk  beneath  thy  mortal  wound; 
Nor,  then — in  the  recording  line 
Ne'er  be  it  said — to  yield  was  thine: 
Till  reeling  sense  and  fainting  life 
Withheld  thee  from  the  desp'rate  strife; 

For  obvions  reasons  we  have  not  noticed  our  naval  actions  exactly  in  the  order 
in  which  they  occurred: — and  for  reasons  equally  obvious,  have  avoided  the  in- 
troduction of  any  individual  names,  except  of  those  departed  commanders,  to 
whom,  alas!  nothing  but  a  name  remains. 


270  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

Ne'er  was  that  bloody  banner  down, 
So  lately  starr'd  with  thy  renown. 
Long  as  thy  arm  could  wield  a  sword — 
Long  as  thy  lips  could  breathe  a  word, 
Thy  deeds,  thy  voice,  this  truth  rcveal'd — 
That  Lawrence  never  knew  to  yield  ! 
Nought  but  the  final  Enemy 
Who  conquers  all — has  conquer'd  thee! 

Yet  still,  the  tributary  verse 
Must  flow  lamenting  round  thy  hearse; 
For  partial  Heaven  in  thee  combin'd 
The  sternest  with  the  softest  mind. 
Seem'd  that  thou  wert  but  lent,  to  show 
The  rest  of  ocean's  race  below 
How  all  the  charities  might  blend, 
Of  father,  brother,  husband,  friend: 
Till  perfecting  the  patriot  plan, 
The  warrior  mellow'd  in  the  man! 
But,  hark!  E'en  now  what  tidings  swell? 
Last,  but  not  least,  they  speed  to  tell 
Where  Burrows  the  invader  spoil'd, 
His  arms,  his  arts,  o'erpower'd  and  foil'd, 

But  in  the  struggle  fell ! 
Then  be  it  so !  An  end  so  great, 
No  sighs  but  sighs  of  Envy  wait! 
What  could  a  Roman  triumph  more, 
Than  pass'd  his  closing  eye  before  ? 
With  falt'ring  hand  and  bosom  gor'd, 
'Twas  his  to  grasp  a  conq'ror's  sword, 
Like  gallant  Wolfe,  well  "  satisfied," 
In  that  he  conquer'd,  and  he  died! 

Ocean  !  when  storms  of  conflict  o'er, 
Shall  cesolate  our  coasts  no  more; 
But  that  firm  race  of  thine  shall  come 
To  dignify  a  peaceful  home — 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  271 

O  grant  that  race  to  prove  them,  then, 

Better  as  well  as  braver  men; 

Wise  to  forbear,  in  civil  life, 

As  bold  to  dare  in  hostile  strife. 

For  angel-eyes,  that  turn  afar  * 

Abhorrent  from  the  scenes  of  war, 

Have  yet  beheld,  with  tears  of  joy, 

Virtues  which  war  could  not  destroy: 

That,  in  the  hot  and  tempting  hour 

Of  mad  Success  and  lawless  Power, 

When  Av'rice,  Pride,  Revenge,  contend 

For  mastery  in  the  human-fiend, 

Could  chain  these  furies  to  their  den, 

And  make  the  victors  more  than  men  ! 

Nor  solely  to  the  chieftain  free 

This  might  of  magnanimity : 

Round  many  a  humbler  head  it  glowed — 

Through  many  a  humbler  heart  it  flowed; 

Those  who,  whate'er  their  leaders  claim, 

Must  fall,  themselves,  unknown  to  Fame: 

Theirs  the  toil  without  the  praise — 

The  conquest  theirs — but  not  its  days. 

Then  grant,  great  Ruler  of  the  main  ! 
These  virtues  they  may  long  retain; 
So  shall  thy  waters  ne'er  be  view'd 
Without  a  burst  of  gratitude. 
So,  when  War's  angry  flame  retires, 
And,  ling'ring,  on  thy  bed  expires; 
These,  tried  and  purified,  shall  rise, 
And,  phosnix-like,  ascend  the  skies. 


272  NAVAL    BATTLES. 


ODE  WRITTEN  BY  L.  M.  SARGENT,  ESQ. 

AND   SUNG  AT  THE     DINNER    GIVEN    TO    CAPTAIN    HULL    BY    TEE- 
CITIZENS   OP   BOSTON. 

BRITANNIA'S  gallant  streamers 

Float  proudly  o'er  the  tide; 

And  fairly  wave  Columbia's  stripes, 

In  battle,  side  by  side. 

And  ne'er  did  bolder  foemen  meet, 

Where  ocean's  surges  pour. 

O'er  the  tide,  now  they  ride, 

While  the  bell'wing  thunders  roar, 

While  the  cannon's  fire  is  flashing  fast 

And  the  bell'wing  thunders  roar. 

When  Yankee  meets  the  Briton, 

Whose  blood  congenial  flows, 

By  Heaven  created  to  be  friends, 

By  fortune  render'd  foes; 

Hard  then  must  be  the  battle  fray, 

Ere  well  the  fight  is  o'er. 

Now  they  ride,  side  by  side, 

While  the  bell'wing  thunders  roar, 

While  the  cannon's  fire  is  flashing  fast 

And  the  bell'wing  thunders  roar. 

Still,  still  for  noble  England, 

Bold  Dacres's  streamers  fly; 

And  for  Columbia,  gallant  HULL'S 

As  proudly  and  as  high 

Now  louder  rings  the  battle  din, 

More  thick  the  volumes  pour; 

Still  they  ride,  side  by  side, 

While  the  bell'wing  thunders  roar, 

While  the  cannon's  fire  is  flashing  fast 

And  the  bell'wing  thunders  roar. 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  213 

Why  lulls  Britannia's  thunder, 
That  wak'd  the  wat'ry  war? 
Why  stays  that  gallant  Guerriere, 
Whose  streamer  wav'd  so  fair? 
That  streamer  drinks  the  ocean  wave  ! 
That  warrior's  fight  is  o'er  ! 
Still  they  ride,  side  by  side, 
While  Columbia's  thunders  roar, 
While  her  cannon's  fire  is  flashing  fast, 
And  her  Yankee  thunders  roar. 

Hark!  'tis  the  Briton's  lee  gun  ! 
Ne'er  bolder  warrior  kneel'd  ! 
And  ne'er  to  gallant  mariners 
Did  braver  seamen  yield. 
Proud  be  the  sires,  whose  hardy  boys, 
Then  fell,  to  fight  no  more: 
With  the  brave,  'mid  the  wave, 
When  the  cannon's  thunders  roar, 
Their  spirits  then  shall  trim  the  blast, 
And  swell  the  thunder's  roar. 

Vain  were  the  cheers  of  Britons, 
Their  hearts  did  vainly  swell, 
Where  virtue,  skill,  and  bravery 
With  gallant  Morris  fell. 
That  heart,  so  well  in  battle  tried, 
Along  the  Moorish  shore, 
Again  o'er  the  main, 
When  Columbia's  thunders  roar, 
Shall  prove  it*  Yankee  spirit  true, 
When  Columbia's  thunders  roar 

Hence  bo  our  floating  bulwarks, 
Those  oaks  our  mountain's  yield; 
'Tis  mighty  Heaven's  plain  decree 
Then  take  the  wat'ry  field ! 
35 


274  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

To  ocean's  farthest  barrier  then 
Your  whit'ning  sail  shall  pour; 
Safe  they'll  ride,  o'er,  the  tide, 
While  Columbia's  thunders  roar, 
While  her  cannon's  fire  is  flashing  fast, 
And  her  Yankee  thunders  roar. 


COLUMBIA'S    NAVAL    HEROES. 

SUNG  AT  THE  DINNER  GIVEN    TO    CAPTAIN    BIDDLE    BT    THE    CITIZKJS 
OF   NEW  YORK. 

BY  FRANCIS  ARDEN,  ESQ.. 

WHILE  Europe  displaying  her  fame  claiming  page, 

And  vaunting  tne  proofs  of  her  high  elevation, 

Exultingly  shows  us,  just  once  in  an  age, 

Some  patriot  soul'd  chieftain  the  prop  of  his  nation; 

Columbia  can  boast,  of  her  heroes  a  host, 

The  foremost  at  Duty's  and  Danger's  proud  post, 

Who  full  often  have  won  upon  .ocean's  rough  wave, 

The  brightest  leav'd  laurel  that  e'er  deck'd  the  brave. 

By  freedom  inspir'd  and  with  bosoms  of  flame, 
They  hurl'd  on  the  foe  all  the  battle's  dread  thunder, 
Till  vanquished  and  humbled,  he  shook  at  their  name, 
O'crwhelm'd  with  confusion  with  feaBgtnd  with  wonder; 
No  age  that  has  flown,  such  a  band  e'er  has  known, 
Who  made  firmness  and  skill  and  mild  manners  their  own, 
And  each  trait  of  the  warrior  so  closely  entwin'd, 
With  tho  virtues  that  grace  and  ennoble  the  mind. 

Their  kindness  the  hearts  of  their  captives  subdued, 
Who  sunk  'neath  their  arms  when  the  life-streams  were  flowing 
And  their  conquest-wove  wreaths  not  a  tear  has  bedow'd 
But  that  which  Humanity  smiles  in  bestowing ; 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  275 

The  world  with  one  voice  bids  their  country  rejoice, 
As  with  blushes  it  owns  that  these  sons  of  her  choice 
For  valour  and  feeling  have  gain'd  the  rich  prize, 
And  stand  first  midst  the  first  that  live  under  the  skies. 

Their  splendid  achievements  shall  long  string  the  nerves 
Of  all  who  the  blessings  of  freemen  inherit; 
And  theirs  be  the  honours  such  merit  deserves, 
And  dear  to  each  bosom  their  death-daring  spirits; 
The  poet's  best  strain,  shall  their  mem'ries  maintain, 
And  affection  embalm  them  to  Time's  latest  reign, 
While  roused  by  their  praises,  our  sons  shall  aspire, 
To  rival  their  actions  and  glow  with  their  fire. 


THE    FRIGATE    CONSTITUTION. 

3UKO  BEFORE    THE  CORPORATION    OF  THE    CITY    OF    NEW  YORK,  THE 
FOURTH   OF  JULY,  1815. 

BY   FRANCIS    ARDEN,   ESQ. 

ARGO  of  Greece,  that  brought  the  fleece 

To  the  Thessalian  city, 
As  we  are  told,  by  bards  of  old, 

Was  sung  in  many  a  ditty; 
But  Yankees  claim  a  prouder  name 

To  spur  their  Resolution, 
Than  Greece  could  boast  and  do  her  most — 

The  frigate  Constitution. 

When  first  she  pressM  the  stream's  cool  breast, 

Hope  hail'd  her  pride  of  story; 
Now  she  o'erpays  hope's  flatt'ring  praise, 

By  matchless  deeds  of  glory; 


276  NAVAL     BATTLES. 

Of  all  that  roam  the  salt  sea's  foam, 

None  floats  to  Neptune  dearer, 
Or  fairer  shines  in  fame's  bright  lines, 
Or  more  makes  Britain  fear  her . 

'Neath  Hull's  command,  with  a  tough  band, 

And  nought  beside  to  back  her, 
Upon  a  day,  as  log-books  say, 

A  fleet  bore  down  to  thwack  her; 
A  fleet,  you  know,  is  odds  or  so, 

Against  a  single  ship  sirs; 
So  cross  the  tide,  her  legs  she  tried, 

And  gave  the  rogues  the  slip  sirs. 

But  time  flies  round,  and  soon  she  found, 

While  ploughing  ocean's  acres, 
An  even  chance  to  join  the  dance, 

And  turn  keel  up,  poor  Dacres;      V', 
Dacres,  'tis  clear,  despises  fear, 

Quite  full  of  fun  and  prank  is, 
Hoists  his  ship's  name,  in  playful  game, 

Aloft  to  scare  the  Yankees. 

On  Brasil's  coast,  she  rul'd  the  roast, 

When  Bainbridge  was  her  captain; 
Neat  hammocks  gave,  made  of  the  wave, 

Dead  Britons  to  be  wrapp'd  in; 
For  there,  in  ire,  'midst  smoke  and  fire, 

Her  boys  the  Java  met  sirs, 
And  in  the  fray,  her  Yankee  play, 

Tipp'd  Bull  a  somerset  sirs. 

Next  on  her  deck,  at  Fortune's  beck, 
The  dauntless  Stewart  landed; 

A  better  tar  ne'er  shone  in  war, 
Or  daring  souls  commanded; 


NAVAL     BATTLES.  277 

Old  Ironsides,  now  once  more  rides, 

In  search  of  English  cruisers; 
And  Neptune  grins,  to  see  her  twins, 

Got  in  an  hour  or  two,  sirs. 

Then  raise  amain,  the  joyful  strain, 

For  well  she  has  deserv'd  it, 
Who  brought  the  foe  so  often  low, 

Cheer 'd  freedom's  heart  and  nerv'd  it; 
Long  may  she  ride,  our  navy's  pride, 

And  spur  to  resolution; 
And  seamen  boast,  and  landsmen  toast.. 

The  FRIGATE  CONSTITUTION. 


FROM  THE   BALTIMORE  WHIG. 
THE  UNCOURTEOUS  KNIGHT,   AND   THE  COURTEOUS   LADY. 

FOR  a  nautical  knight,  a  lady — heigho! 

Felt  her  heart  and  her  heart-strings  to  ache; 
To  view  his  sweet  visage  she  look'd  to  and  fro; — 
The  name  of  the  knight,  was  James  Lucas  Yeo, 

And  the  lady — 'twas  she  of  the  Lake. 

"  My  good,  sweet  sir  James,"  cried  the  lady  so  fair, 

"  Since  my  passion  I  cannot  control, 
When  you  see  my  white  drapery  floating  in  air, 
Oh!  thither,  and  quickly  I  prithee  repair 

And  indulge  the  first  wish  of  my  soul." 

Sir  knight  heard  afar,  of  the  lady's  desire, 

And  sprightly  and  gay  made  reply — 
"  As  your  heart,  lovely  maid,  doth  my  presence  require, 
I  assure  you  mine  burns  with  an  answering  fire, 

And  quick  to  your  presence  I'll  fly." 


278  NAVAL    BATTLES. 

From  Ontario's  margin  the  lady  set  sail, 

To  meet  the  bold  knight  on  that  sea: 
She  dreamt  not  that  he  in  his  promise  would  fail, 
And  leave  a  fair  lady  alone  to  bewail; — 

Yet  no  knight  far  or  near  could  she  see. 

Impatient  to  meet  him  no  longer  she'd  stay, 

Resolv'd  o'er  the  waters  to  roam : 
"  Oh!  say,  have  you  heard  of  my  brave  knight  I  pray, 
He  promis'd  to  meet  a  fair  lady  to  day, 

But  I  fear  he's  to  Kingston  gone  home." 

At  last  she  espied  him — what  could  sir  knight  do  ? 

He  fidgetted — ran — and  he  tack'd  in  and  out, 
And  kept  far  aloof — yet  he  promised  to  woo; 
She  hail'd  him — "  Sir  knight — wont  you  please  to  heave  to? 

What  a  shame  a  fair  lady  to  flout." 

But  away  ran  sir  knight — the  lady  in  vain, 

Her  oglings,  and  glances  employ'd; 
She  aim'd  at  his  heart,  he  aim'd  at  her  brain, 
She  vow'd  from  pursuing  she'd  never  refrain;  • 

And  the  knight  was  most  sadly  annoy'd. 

At  length  from  the  lady,  the  knight  got  him  clear, 

And  obtain'd  for  a  season  some  rest; 
But  if  the  fair  lady  he  ever  comes  near, 
For  breaking  his  promise  he'll  pay  pretty  dear — 

The  price  captain  Chauncey  knows  best. 


LIST  OF  THE  AMERICAN  NAVY  FOR  1831. 


I 

Names  of  Vessels. 

Built. 

B 

s 

Names  of  Vessels. 

Built. 

V4 

74 
74 

lii(Ji;|>eiidence 
Franklin 
Washington 

Boston,  1814 
Philadelphia,  1815 
Portsmouth,  1816 

u 
u 

Ontario    £  <y 
Peacock  £  V 
Boston    C-  T' 

Baltimore,  1813 
New  York,  1813 
Boston,  1825 

74 

Columbus 

Washington,  1819 

i- 

Lexington 

New  York,  1825 

M 

Ohio 

New  York,  1820 

te 

Vincennes  f  £> 

do.        1826 

•71 

North  Carolina 

Philadelphia,  1820 

M 

Warren       1^^* 

Boston,  1826 

71 

Delaware 

Gosport,  1620 

M 

Natchez 

Norfolk,  1827 

44 
44 

f'nitod  States 
Constitution 

Philadelphia,  1797 
Boston,  1797 

19 

Falmouth     *t  * 
I-'airfleld 

Boston,  1827 
New  York,  1828 

44 

'•   .'  riHTO 

Philadelphia,  1314 

18 

Vandalia 

Philadelphia,  1823 

44 

Java 

Baltimore,  1814 

ia 

St.  Louis     •*  ^"^ 

Washington,  1828 

44 

I'ntnmac 

Washington,  1P21 

IH 

Concord     •»  Nfr 

Portsmouth,  1828 

41 

Brandywine 

do            1825 

ll! 

Dolphin        /  » 

Philadelphia,  1821 

44 

Hudson 
Congress 

Purchased.  1826 
Portsmouth,  1799 

li 

Grampn  ; 
Porpoise      /  w 

Washington,  1821 
Portsmouth,  1820 

Constellation 

Baltimore,  1797 

ID 

Shark         fj 

Washington,  1821 

Macedonian 

Captured,  1812 

1 

Purchased,  1823 

t  34  (John  AdaniB 

Charleston.  SC.1799 

Alert,  store  smp 

Captured,  1812 

U4  i<.'yane 

Captured,  1815 

Sea  Gull,  do 

Purchased,  1823 

IB  I  Erie                         I  Baltimore,  1813 

VESSELS  BUILDING. 


I 

& 

Names. 

Where  building,    j  § 

Names. 

Where  building. 

74 

Alabama 

1'ortsmouth 

(4 

Cumberland 

Boston 

74 

Vermont 

Boston 

,  ; 

Sabino 

New  York 

74 

Virginia 

Do. 

.'  ( 

Savannah 

Do. 

*'?* 
44 

Pennsylvania 
New  York 
Santee 

Philadelphia 
Norfolk 
Portsmouth 

44 

M 

Raritan            1 
Columbia 
St.  Lawrence  )      « 

Philadelphia 
Washington 
Norfolk 

-' 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  AT  LOS  ANGELES 
THE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


JAN  1  91944 


SEP  11  1945 


1  3  1952 
DEC  8      1953 


41957 

RECD 


Form  L-9-15w-7,'35 


A 


UNJ  \LJKOKNIA 

LOS  A^(U:LES 
LIBRARY 


